Cool Sweep is the City’s annual public safety and customer service program to help city residents who have limited opportunities to find relief from summer heat. Cool Sweep kicks off once schools let out for summer recess. A Cool Sweep operation is triggered when the forecast calls for a day to reach 85 degrees.
Cool Sweep hours are normally from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The operation employs the use of a cooling spray from fire hydrants and extended hours at City pools and Durand Eastman Beach. The use of City spray parks and pools in certain city high schools are also available to the public.
When hot summer days creep in make sure to watch the news and check the newspaper for a possible Cool Sweep day announcement from Mayor Richards.
Cool Sweep Hydrant locations are:
• School No. 22 parking lot, 27 Zimbrich St. (map)
• School No. 41 parking lot, 279 W. Ridge Road (map)
• Gardiner Recreation Center, 75 Grover St. (map)
• Baden Park on Vienna Street (map)
Spray Park locations are:
• Edgerton Community Center Spray Park, 41 Backus St. (map);
• Fourth and Peck Playground (spray feature only, not a full park), corner of Fourth and Peck Streets (map);
• Humboldt Community Center Spray Park, 1045 Atlantic Ave. (map);
• Manhattan Square Park (spray feature only, not a full park), 25 Manhattan Square Drive;
• Gantt Community Center Spray Park, 700 North St. (map);
• Ryan Community Center Spray Park, 530 Webster Ave. (map);
• Troup Street Park (spray feature only, not a full park), Troup and Van Auker Streets (map).
• Carter Street Community Center Spray Park, 500 Carter St. (map);
Visit the City's Spray Parks webpage to learn more.
*Hours for all locations are 10 a.m. to dusk.
Recreation Center cooling area:
• Carter Street Community Center Gym, 500 Carter Street (map) (air conditioning only). There will not be standardized opening times during the week, but closing time will be at 9 p.m. Saturday hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Swimming opportunities also are available at:
• Adams Street Community Center, 85 Adams St. (map), noon to 9 p.m. (cool sweep hours), 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (regular hours);
• Avenue D Community Center Pool, 200 Avenue D. (map), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (cool sweep hours), 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (regular hours);
• Durand Eastman Beach, 1250 Lake Shore Blvd. (map), Lot A only, Lifeguards on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (cool sweep hours), 11a.m. to 7 p.m. (regular hours);
• Flint Street Community Center Pool, 271 Flint St. (map), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (cool sweep hours), 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (regular hours);
• Genesee Valley Park Pool, 131 Elmwood Ave. (map), noon to 9 p.m. (cool sweep hours),
Normal Hours: Monday-Friday (June 27 through Aug. 19) 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m, Saturday-Sunday (June 25 through Sept. 4) 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., 6 to 8:30 p.m.
• Frederick Douglass High School Pool, 940 Fernwood Park (map) (Tennis Court entrance), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (regular hours);
• Wilson Foundation Academy at Madison High School Pool, 200 Genesee St. (map), (Dr. Samuel McCree Way entrance), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (regular hours);
• East High School, 1801 E. Main St. (map), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (regular hours);
• Jefferson High School, 1 Edgerton Park (map), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (regular hours);
Even hotter...
When temperatures exceed 90 degrees, the Cool Sweep program extends into City branch library locations where residents can stay in an air conditioned building. There will not be standardized opening times during the week, but closing times will be at 9 p.m. Saturday hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Library cooling areas:
• Arnett Branch Library, 310 Arnett Blvd. (map)
• Lincoln Branch Library, 851 Joseph Ave. (map)
• Maplewood Branch Library, 1111 Dewey Ave. (map)
• Winton Road Branch Library, 611 N. Winton Road (map)
For more information on Cool Sweep hours and locations, the public is invited to call the Genesee Valley Park Pool at 428-7888.
