The Albemarle County Cooling Centers will remain open through Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26, as the County extends operations to provide continued relief from the extreme heat.

The cooling center locations are:

• Yancey Community Center at 7625 Porters Road in Esmont.
• Greenwood Community Center at 865 Greenwood Road in Crozet.

Operating hours at both cooling centers are 9 am to 6 pm. Each will provide air-conditioned spaces ideal for those seeking a cool environment to rest and hydrate. All cooling centers are ADA-compliant and accessible to individuals with disabilities.

In addition to the designated cooling centers, the lobbies of both County Office Buildings (401 McIntire Road and 1600 5th Street) and County libraries are also open to the public.

Additionally, Albemarle County is extending its fee waiver for public swimming beaches through Friday and Saturday. Cool off at Chris Greene Lake Park, Mint Springs Valley Park, or Walnut Creek Park from 10 am to 6 pm.

During this time, we would like to remind our community of the importance of keeping safe during hot weather. We encourage everyone to stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible.

Stay Cool:

• Closely monitor people who depend on you for their care or who may be more vulnerable to the heat due to age, isolation, or illness: Are they drinking enough water? Do they have access to air conditioning? Do they need help keeping cool?
• If you need to be outside, plan to do so in the early morning and evening to avoid the hottest times of the day. 
• When you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face and loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. 



Stay Safe:

• Check on your neighbors and friends and have someone do the same for you.  
• Never leave a child or animal alone in a car.
• Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more.  
• Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees, as it could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort but do not reduce body temperature. 
• Avoid high-energy activities.

Read more heat safety preparedness reminders here.

Have You Visited Our Online Engagement Center?

Engage Albemarle is our online center for public engagement. Our community is full of amazing people with a diverse range of experiences and perspectives. We hope that you will share your expertise, ideas, and feedback with us on the projects hosted there.

Please visit the site and register to access current and future projects.