The City of West Hollywood is reactivating its cooling center at Plummer Park this weekend in anticipation of high temperatures that are expected to rise to more than 90 degrees over the week.
The Cooling Center is located at the Plummer Park Community Center, Rooms 5 and 6, at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard and it will provide limited access to ensure adequate social (physical) distancing. As per weather forecasts, the Cooling Center will be open on Friday, September 11, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will also be open from Monday, September 14, 2020 through Wednesday, September 16, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Cooling Center days of operation may be extended if temperatures continue to remain above 90 degrees.
WeHo Recreation Center Plummer Park – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMESThe Cooling Center first reopened over the Labor Day weekend after not being available for several months during the Pandemic. An estimated 10 people used the West Hollywood Community Center to cool off on Saturday, September 5. and about 30 people used it to cool off on Sunday, September 6.
The Cooling Center has implemented a series of COVID-19 health and safety measures in compliance with Health Officer Orders and Protocols established by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. This includes: temperature checks, sign-in, hand sanitizing upon entry, and frequent wipe-downs of high-touch surfaces. The Cooling Center has been set up with a limited maximum occupancy 30 guests in order to ensure adequate social (physical) distancing and face coverings are required. Staff members at Plummer Park are available to direct people to the Cooling Center.
The City of West Hollywood provides free transportation to Plummer Park through its Cityline service. Cityline is a friendly and accessible alternative to the larger bus system and all shuttles are ADA-accessible. Cityline operates Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and shuttles arrive approximately every 30 minutes. Face coverings are required on Cityline vehicles. For additional information and a detailed route map, visit www.weho.org/cityline — route maps are also available on Cityline shuttles.
High heat can make the weather dangerous as well as uncomfortable. The City reminds residents and community members to take precautions to keep as cool as possible during hot days. If possible, stay out of the sun; avoid strenuous activity; drink plenty of water; and wear lightweight clothing.
The City reminds community members that pets and children are particularly vulnerable to high-heat conditions. Every year, children and pets suffer and die when left unattended in parked vehicles. On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can soar to 120 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes — even with windows cracked open. Think twice before ever leaving a child or a pet in a parked vehicle, even for just a moment.
The City of West Hollywood has declared a local emergency in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. When in public, community members should maintain your space with social (physical) distancing of at least six feet, and cover that face to adhere to City requirements for the use of face coverings.
The City of West Hollywood coronavirus updates are available at www.weho.org/coronavirus.
