Staff Writer
As dangerous heat continues to impact Central Florida, Orange County officials have activated a network of designated cooling centers to help residents stay safe and avoid heat-related illness. A range of public facilities—including air-conditioned community centers, libraries, and splashpads—are open to the public during the heatwave. Additionally, LYNX is offering free transportation to any of these locations.
Indoor Cooling Centers
Orange County Parks and Recreation has made several indoor facilities available daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., providing a cool space for relief:
Apopka Station at West Orange Trail
Barnett Park (Magic Gym)
Bithlo Community Park
Goldenrod Recreation Center (Magic Gym)
Magnolia Park
Marks Street Senior Recreation Complex
Meadow Woods Recreation Center (Magic Gym)
Orlo Vista Park
Renaissance Senior Center / South Econ Community Park
Silver Star Recreation Center (Magic Gym)
Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
West Orange Recreation Center
Outdoor Splashpads
Families seeking to cool down with water play can visit one of the following splashpads, open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
Barber Park
Barnett Park / Barnett Gym
Bithlo Community Park
Capehart Park
Downey Park
Dr. P. Phillips Community Park
Orange County Library System Locations
Local libraries also serve as cooling centers during normal business hours. Availability varies by branch:
Alafaya Branch
Chickasaw Branch
Eatonville Branch
Fairview Shores Branch
Hiawassee Branch
Maitland Public Library*
North Orange Branch
Orlando Public Library
South Creek Branch
South Trail Branch
Southeast Branch
Southwest Branch
Washington Park Branch
West Oaks Branch and Genealogy Center
Windermere Branch
Winter Garden Branch
Winter Park Library**
* Not part of Orange County Library System
** Not affiliated with Orange County Library System
Community Centers (Monday–Friday)
Several community centers across the county are open for residents needing shelter from the heat:
East Orange Community Center – 12050 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando (Noon–5 p.m.)
Holden Heights Community Center – 1201 20th St., Orlando
John Bridges Community Center – 445 W. 13th St., Apopka
Maxey Community Center – 830 Klondike Road, Winter Garden
Multicultural Center – 7149 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Taft Community Center – 9450 S. Orange Ave., Orlando (Noon–5 p.m.)
Willow Street Community Center – 6565 Willow St., Zellwood
Homeless Shelters
Cooling assistance is also available at the following shelters (hours may vary):
Christian Service Center
Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
Free Transportation and Safety Resources
Residents may ride any LYNX bus free of charge to reach a designated cooling location. For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911 immediately.
For additional heat safety tips, visit the Florida Department of Health or search #GetSummerReady on social media. To stay updated on the latest weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service.
Stay cool, stay safe, and check on vulnerable neighbors during this extreme heat event.
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