Rochester declares ‘cool sweep’ as temps hit 90 degrees

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — First Alert Meteorologist Stacey Pensgen says Rochester hit 90 degrees Thursday — triggering the first “cool sweep” of the summer.

The City of Rochester has put a cool sweep in place for Thursday as temperatures approach 90 degrees with high humidity.

News10NBC’s Eriketa Cost  checked out the pool at Genesee Valley Park as people gathered to beat the heat.

Thursday certainly was not the day to be outside to be in the sun for too long — that is unless you went to a local pool or spray park.

Many families came out to cool down and swim some laps in the hot sun.

The City of Rochester has been working to recruit more lifeguards over the past few weeks to make this possible, and has now reached over 50. That’s compared to just 13 at the beginning of June.

Pools aren’t the only option for cooling off. Spray parks and R-centers throughout the City were also open. It was quiet over at Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Park, but it brought out this group of neighbors and small child.

“Yeah we enjoy ourselves. We play dominos out here on a daily basis and we have a good time over here,” says Payton Carter.

“I just want to get out of the house, something to do, we had nothing else we could do so we came here, something to try. My friend told me about this so I wanted to try it,” says Mustafa Vick.

Next Monday, all the city pools should be open. This includes Durand Eastman Park, the pool at Trenton and Pamela Jackson R-center and some others.

People can go to the city’s R-centers and libraries for air conditioning. They can also visit pools and spray parks to cool off. The city is reminding residents to stay hydrated, limit time out in the sun, and stay in air-conditioned rooms to prevent heat-related illnesses. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Monroe County that started at 11 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m.

Swimming locations: 

• Genesee Valley Park Pool, 131 Elmwood Ave., 12 to 8 p.m. 
• Adams Street R-Center Pool, 85 Adams St., 12 to 6 p.m.  

Spray Parks (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.):

• Carter Street R-Center, 500 Carter St. 
• Edgerton R-Center, 41 Backus St. 
• David F. Gantt R-Center, 700 North St. 
• Thomas P. Ryan R-Center, 530 Webster Ave. 
• Roxie Ann Sinkler R-Center, 75 Grover St. 
• Tyshaun Cauldwell R-Center for Hope, 524 Campbell St. 

Spray Features (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) 

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 353 Court St. (at the play area) 
• Fourth and Peck Playground, Corner of Fourth and Peck Streets 
• Troup Street Park, Troup Street and Van Auker Street (between Reynolds Street and Ford Street) 

R-Centers (8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.):

• Adams, 85 Adams St. 
• Avenue D, 200 Avenue D 
• Carter, 500 Carter St. 
• Frederick Douglass, 999 South Ave. 
• Edgerton, 41 Backus St.  
• Willie W. Lightfoot, 271 Flint St. 
• David F. Gantt, 700 North St., 
• Trenton & Pamela Jackson, 485 N. Clinton Ave. 
• Thomas P. Ryan, 530 Webster Ave. 
• Tyshaun Cauldwell R-Center for Hope, 524 Campbell St. 

City Branch Libraries (visit https://roccitylibrary.org/location/ for individual location hours)  

• Arnett Branch, 310 Arnett Blvd., (585) 428-8214 
• Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County, 115 South Ave., (585) 428-7300 
• Charlotte Branch, 3557 Lake Ave., (585) 428-8216 
• Frederick Douglass Community Library, 971 South Ave., (585) 428-8206 
• Lyell Branch, 956 Lyell Ave., (585) 428-8218 
• Maplewood Community Library, 1111 Dewey Ave., (585) 428-8220 
• Monroe Branch, 809 Monroe Ave., (585) 428-8202 
• Phillis Wheatley Community Library, 33 Dr, Samuel McCree Way, (585) 428-8212 
• Sully Branch, 530 Webster Ave., (585) 428-8208 
• Winton Branch, 611 N. Winton Rd., (585) 428-8204