FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 30, 2026

CONTACT:
Derek Sands
DSands@BergenCountyNJ.gov

COUNTY TO OPEN COOLING CENTERS TO ADDRESS HEAT INDEX

Open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 5

Hackensack, NJ – Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, the Board of Commissioners, and the Department of Human Services announce that several emergency cooling centers will be opened throughout the County to help residents stay cool during the upcoming heat wave, as temperatures are expected to climb over 90 degrees. 

The County of Bergen’s five regional cooling centers will be open from today, Tuesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 5from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

LOCATIONS

County Administration Building                                                     (201) 336-7300 
1st Floor, One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ, 07601
*Pet friendly – pets must be crated or leashed

Bergenfield Senior Activity Center                                                 (201) 387-7212          
293 Murray Hill Terrace, Bergenfield, NJ, 07621

Garfield Senior Activity Center                                                      (973) 478-0502 
480 Midland Avenue, Garfield, NJ, 07026

Northwest Bergen Senior Activity Center                                      (201) 445-5690 
46-50 Center Street, Midland Park, NJ, 07432

Southwest Bergen Senior Activity Center                                      (201) 935-8920          
147 Hackensack Street, East Rutherford, NJ, 07073 

Residents requiring a ride to a county emergency cooling center may call 201-394-2882.

OTHER NOTABLE PLACES TO KEEP COOL DURING THE HEATWAVE

The Bergen County Parks Department will be extending swimming hours at Darlington Lake by one hour from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. to give residents an extra hour to beat the heat. Families can also cool down at the Van Saun County Park Splash Pad in Paramus.

Additionally, several municipalities are designating public spaces such as libraries, shopping centers, and recreation and senior centers as cooling centers. Residents should consider visiting municipal cooling centers before travelling to the County facility to help avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke. 

It is recommended that residents stay indoors, if possible, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the sun is at its strongest and burns and heat strokes are more likely to occur. All age groups are at risk for heat stroke, so please take necessary precautions if you must be outdoors, including wearing sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and staying properly hydrated. 

It is NEVER okay to leave a child or pet in a locked vehicle, even for a moment, as temperatures can rise quickly. It is also imperative to lock all parked vehicles so children cannot accidentally lock themselves inside while playing games like hide and seek.   

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