MINNEAPOLIS — Summer heat has settled in the Twin Cities. If you or someone you know doesn't have access to a cool, air-conditioned location, here's where you can find cooling centers across Hennepin, Ramsey and Dakota counties.
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Hennepin County
Cooling centers across Hennepin County are located at libraries, beaches and pools, government buildings and more. Movie theaters along with some pools, community and recreation centers may have an entry cost.
Visitors to most county buildings aren't required to wear a mask, but some correctional, detention and health care facilities might require a face covering.
Masks are recommended for people that are unvaccinated or at high-risk for COVID-19.
Ramsey County
Cooling spaces are open to the public during extreme heat. Because of COVID-19, not all spaces located on the county's interactive map may be open.
A link to a website with more information about each location is included on the map.
Ramsey County also has nine beaches and Waterworks that are open to the public: Lake Gervais County Park, Lake Josephine County Park, Lake McCarrons County Park, Lake Owasso County Park, Long Lake Regional Park, Tony Schmidt Regional Park, Turtle Lake County Park, Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park and White Bear Lake County Park.
Battle Creek Waterworks, located in Battle Creek Regional Park in Maplewood, is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Dakota County
Dakota County libraries and service centers are open for people who need access to public air conditioning. Service centers are open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information on library hours availability, click here.
- Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings
- Northern Service Center: 1 Mendota Road W., West St. Paul
- Western Service Center: 14955 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley
- Burnhaven Library: 1101 W. County Road 42, Burnsville
- Farmington Library: 508 Third St., Farmington
- Galaxie Library: 14955 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley
- Heritage Library: 20085 Heritage Drive, Lakeville
- Inver Glen Library: 9098 Blaine Ave., Inver Grove Heights
- Pleasant Hill Library: 1490 S. Frontage Road, Hastings
- Robert Trail Library: 14395 S. Robert Trail, Rosemount
- Wentworth Library: 199 E. Wentworth Ave., West St. Paul
- Westcott Library: 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan
- City of South St. Paul Library: 106 Third Ave. N., South St. Paul
Salvation Army locations
Eight Salvation Army Service Centers in the Twin Cities will be open during normal business hours for use as cooling centers during the extreme heat:
- Salvation Army Temple, 1604 E. Lake St., Minneapolis
- Salvation Army Parkview, 2024 Lyndale Ave. N., Minneapolis
- Salvation Army Noble, 10011 Noble Pkwy., Brooklyn Park
- Salvation Army Eastside, 1019 Payne Ave., St. Paul
- Salvation Army Citadel, 401 West 7th Street, St. Paul
- Salvation Army Lakewood, 2080 Woodlynn Ave., St. Paul
- Salvation Army Central, 2727 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis
- Salvation Army Harbor Light, 1010 Currie Ave., Minneapolis
Hot weather reminders
The inside of a car can overheat extremely quickly. Do not leave children, vulnerable adults or pets inside a parked car during hot weather. Avoid being outside during the hottest points of the day, but if you have to be outside drink plenty of water, wear loose, lightweight clothing and use sunscreen.
People with chronic medical conditions are also more prone to health issues during excessive heat, as are pregnant women, according to the National Weather Service.
Heat-related illnesses, like heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are all possible during extreme heat events. Click here for more information on the signs, symptoms and treatment of heat illness.
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