Staying Cool in the Heat Wave (Updated)

With an extreme heat warning in effect from Wednesday morning, July 1, through Saturday evening, July 4, Westwood Minute is gathering resources and ideas for ways to stay cool! Here are cooling-off resources being offered from local authorities:

Westwood

The Westwood Police station's Jaillet Meeting Room, at 588 High Street, will serve as a cooling center on July 3 and July 4. The room holds about 49 people and can be accessed from the lobby. Police anticipate the setup will be similar to the public library, where bringing quiet entertainment like a laptop or a book and/or a snack is suggested.

Residents can also spend time cooling off, indoors, with programming from:

• Westwood Council on Aging, 60 Nahatan Street, open on July 1 and July 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
•  Westwood Public Library (Main), 660 High Street, open July 1 and July 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Westwood Public Library's Islington branch, 273 Washington Street, open on July 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and open on July 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

Dedham

For outdoor water play, the Condon Park Splash Pad on Bussey Street is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Town of Dedham also offers cooling centers:

• Town Hall/Ames Senior Center, 450 Washington Street, open on July 1 and July 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Dedham Public Library (Main branch, 43 Church Street) open on July 1 and July 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Dedham Public Library (Endicott branch, 257 Mount Vernon Street), open on July 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on July 2 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Dover

Two cooling centers are both open on July 1 and July 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:

• Dover Town House (Great Town Hall), 5 Springdale Avenue, open on July 1 and July 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
• Caryl Community Center, 4 Springdale Avenue, open on July 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m and on July 3, July 4, and July 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

No pets are allowed, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Medfield

Cooling centers are available from July 1 to July 3 at three locations at varying times:

• Public Safety Building (1st floor training room), 112 North Street, open from July 1 to July 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day.
• The Center at Medfield, 1 Icehouse Road, open on July 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on July 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Medfield Public Library, 468 Main Street, open on July 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on July 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Needham

• The free, outdoor splash pad at Rosemary Pool is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Needham Public Library is open on July 1 and July 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Needham Town Hall will serve as a cooling center on July 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on July 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Norwood

Norwood Public Library, 33 Walpole Street, is open on July 1 and July 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Updated 7/2/2026 at 11:25 a.m. 

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