Cecile and Magnarelli Community Centers Open as Cooling Centers
Published on June 17, 2024
With a multi-day heat wave upon us, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced the City of Syracuse will open cooling centers for extended hours at two city community centers. The Cecile Community Center at 174 W. Seneca Turnpike and the Magnarelli Community Center at 2308 Grant Boulevard will be open for cooling from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Tuesday through Friday.
In addition to the Cecile and Magnarelli centers, a list of other cooling centers are available online at the New York State Health Department website. Sites include Onondaga County Public Library branches in neighborhoods around the city. Users should call ahead to confirm hours and availability. The air-conditioned facilities are available for residents from any city neighborhoods who need relief from the anticipated record-breaking temperatures.
“We’re in for unusually warm conditions for this time of year over a long period of time. It’s forecast to stay warm during the evening and overnight periods, so people should try to get a break from the heat when they can,” said Mayor Walsh. “As advised by the National Weather Service, people should drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun as much as possible and check on friends and relatives regularly.”
Non-profit agencies who provide services to the homeless report they are focusing field outreach on conducting wellness checks, distributing water and encouraging housing vulnerable people to take advantage of available indoor shelter services.
Older adults needing information on Senior Cooling Centers may contact the Onondaga County Office for Aging at 315.435.2362. If you are experiencing a health emergency, call 9-1-1.
In addition to cooling centers, city pools begin opening on a rolling basis this week:
- Tuesday, June 18: Schiller Park Pool
- Wednesday, June 19: Kirk Park Pool
- Thursday, June 20: Upper Onondaga Park Pool
- Friday, June 21: Thornden Park Pool
- Sunday, June 23: Lincoln Park Pool
- Monday, June 24: McKinley Park Pool
- Tuesday, June 25: Burnet Park Pool
- Sunday, June 30: Wilson Park Pool
The City also offers spray features at parks around the city for cooling off. See below for a full list of sites.
City of Syracuse Spray Features
- Burnet Park Spray Mister (self-activated), located on the playground.
- Comfort Tyler Park Spray Feature, located next to the playground.
- Frazer School Mister Pole, located behind the school.
- Lewis Park Spray Block (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), located on the playground.
- Onondaga Park – Lower Spray Feature (self-activated), located by the playground.
- McKinley Park Spray Area, located just outside of the pool.
- Schiller Park Spray Feature, located next to the pool.
- Skiddy Park Spray Mister, located near the playground.
- Sunnycrest Park Spray Mister (self-activated), located on the playground.
- Thornden Park Spray Feature, located just outside the pool.
- Union Park Spray Feature, located next to the playground.
- Washington Square Park Spray Feature (self-activated), located next to the pavilion.
- Wilson Park Spray Block, located near the pool.