What’s Happening in CNY: How to Keep Cool in the Summer Heat

Thornden Park pool (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

With meteorologists predicting this summer to be one of the hottest summers on record, it is important to know how to keep cool this summer. Here are some tips on what you can do to stay safe on those extremely hot days during the summer months:

• Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day: 3 to 6 p.m.
• Wear sunscreen and remember to reapply according to the instructions if you plan to be outside for an extended period of time.
• Drink PLENTY of water! The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine suggests that we should drink 11-15 cups of water daily; you should increase that if you are out in the heat.
• Eat lighter meals to feel cool. Eat fruits and vegetables that have a high concentration of water to help you stay hydrated, such as cucumbers, watermelon, celery, tomatoes, strawberries, zucchini, lettuce, spinach or cantaloupe.
• Planning on exercising? Consider working out during the coolest parts of the day to avoid overheating.
• Do what you can to keep your home cool. Keep your blinds or curtains closed during the day to keep the temperature down.
• Take a cool shower or bath to help lower your body temperature if you are feeling overheated.
• Go swimming! Don’t have a pool? We have put together a list of pools and beaches in and around Central New York where you can stay cool:

Pools 

City of Syracuse Pools: Open Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. These swim hours are free and open to the public. When capacities are reached, they operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Burnet Park
• Kirk Park
• Lincoln Park
• McKinley Park
• Schiller Park
• Thornden Park
• Upper Onondaga Park
• Wilson Park (Opens Sunday, June 30)

Van Buren Pool (Baldwinsville): Open Monday through Friday from 12:30 to 6:25 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 7 p.m. The fee is $5/day for non-residents and $3/day for residents. Seasons passes are also available.

Duerr Pool (Liverpool): Open seven days a week from Noon to 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Hanlon Pool (East Syracuse): Open for recreation swim Monday and Wednesday from 12:30 to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 to 6 p.m.; and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. The fee is $3/day for adults (18-54), $2 for seniors (55-plus) and youth (5-17) and children four and under are free. Seasons passes are also available. Also, if you are a resident and have pre-registered with the town, you can also use the pool for free.

Sehr Pool (Liverpool): Open seven days a week from noon to 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Drumlins (Syracuse): Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. To use the pool, you must have a swim club membership. For more details, visit the Drumlins website.

Beaches 

Fair Haven State Park (Fair Haven): Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The $9 vehicle entrance fee includes access to the beach.

Green Lakes State Park (Fayetteville): Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The $10 vehicle entrance fee includes access to the beach.

Jamesville Beach Park (Jamesville): Open Monday through Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The $7 vehicle entrance fee includes access to the beach.

Oneida Shores Park (Brewerton): Open Monday through Thursday from Noon to 6 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The $7 vehicle entrance fee includes access to the beach.

Southwick Beach State Park (Henderson): Open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The $8 vehicle entrance fee includes access to the beach.

Southwick Beach State Park (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)