‘People need heat relief.’ Paterson opens cooling centers as temps rise around NJ

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It was all about staying cool at Roberto Clemente Park in Paterson on Monday. From the splash area to the park benches, people like Deborah Smalley were looking to escape the heat. "Just enjoying the weather is hot, so I’ve been under the tree in the shade…it's too hot to be walking around everywhere," said Smalley. With the hot and humid weather sticking around, the city is providing relief from the heat for its residents through cooling centers. MORE: List of Cooling Centers in New Jersey MORE: News 12 New Jersey Weather Center They are located at:

• The main branch of the Patesron Public Library at 250 Broadway.
• The Southside Branch Library at 930 Main St.
• And the Northside Branch Library at 60 Temple St.

Free cold water is also being provided to those who visit any of the locations. "Our biggest concern is heat stroke. People need heat relief...We have a senior center, a senior citizens center with a recreation room. It's air-conditioned," said Mayor Andre Sayegh. The mayor says the Lou Costello pool is free and open to a Paterson resident until sunset, giving them a place to not only stay safe, but cool during the heat wave. "I want to caution residents in the city of Paterson from doing anything strenuous from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. That includes walking your dog and we are paying particular attention to our most vulnerable, the youngest citizens and the elderly citizens," said Sayegh. The cooling centers will be open until further notice. "