North Jersey towns offer cooling centers amid heat wave

Katie Sobko, NorthJersey.com
Updated ·10 min read

While the kids might be heading back to school, summer is still in full swing in New Jersey. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the region until 8 p.m. Thursday and cooling centers are being opened to help residents without other options.

Here's a look at cooling centers in Bergen, Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties. We recommend reaching out to the individual facilities to ensure they are open as scheduled:

Bergen County cooling centers

County officials announced Tuesday that they will operate four locations through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at:

  • The County Administration Building, One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, 1st Floor

  • Garfield Senior Activity Center, 480 Midland Ave., Garfield

  • Northwest Bergen Senior Activity Center, 46-50 Center St., Midland Park

  • Southwest Bergen Senior Activity Center, 147 Hackensack St., East Rutherford.

Municipalities, such as the Richard Rodda Center in Teaneck, are designating public spaces such as public libraries, shopping centers, recreation and senior centers as cooling centers as well. Here's a list of sites that towns have opened in the past:

More: North Jersey schools set for early dismissal Wednesday, Sept. 6 due to heat

  • Bergenfield

    • Bergenfield Senior Center, 293 Murray Hill Terrace, 201-387-7212

  • East Rutherford

    • Southwest Bergen Senior Activity Center, 147 Hackensack St., 201-935-8920, open through Sunday.

  • Garfield

    • Garfield Senior Activity Center, 480 Midland Ave., 973-478-0502

  • Hackensack

    • County Administration Building, One Bergen County Plaza, first floor, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 201-336-7300, open through Sunday.

  • Midland Park

    • Northwest Bergen Senior Activity Center, 46-50 Center St., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 201-445-5690, open through Sunday.

  • Paramus

    • Bergen County Community Services Building, 327 E. Ridgewood Ave., assembly room, 201-343-6000

  • Teaneck

    • Richard Rodda Center, 250 Colonial Court, second-floor art studio, Tuesday to Friday 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., weekends 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For those in need of a ride, Bergen County has set up a hotline for residents in need of a ride. They can call 201-368-5955 x1 between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Passaic County cooling centers

Christopher Rodriguez of Paterson wipes sweat from his face during his workout at Garret Mountain Reservation on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Woodland Park. A heat wave hits New Jersey with temperatures well into the 90's.
Christopher Rodriguez of Paterson wipes sweat from his face during his workout at Garret Mountain Reservation on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Woodland Park. A heat wave hits New Jersey with temperatures well into the 90's.

  • Paterson

    • Paterson Public Library, 250 Broadway, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 973-321-1223

  • Clifton

    • Clifton Public Library, 292 Piaget Ave., 973-772-5500

    • Clifton Public Library, 44 Lyall Road, 973-471-0555

  • Wayne

    • Wayne Public Library, 461 Valley Road, Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 to 5 p.m., 973-694-4272

  • Woodland Park

    • Public Library, 7 Brophy Lane, Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 973-345-8120

  • West Milford

    • West Milford Public Library, 1470 Union Valley Road, Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m., 973-728-2820

  • Hawthorne

    • Hawthorne Public Library, 345 Lafayette Ave., Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 973-427-5745

  • Haledon

    • Haledon Senior Center, 510 Belmont Ave., 973-595-7766

  • North Haledon 

    • 129 Overlook Ave., 973-427-6213

  • Ringwood

    • Ringwood Public Library, 30 Cannici Drive, Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 973-962-6256

  • Ringwood

    • Municipal Building, Second Floor, 106 Brown Ave, Wednesday-Friday noon-7 p.m., Weekends noon-6 p.m.

  • Prospect Park

    • Municipal Building, Second Floor, 106 Brown Ave, Wednesday-Friday noon-7 p.m., Weekends noon-6 p.m.

Heat advisory: How to stay safe when a heat wave hits North Jersey, from cooling centers to swimming spots

Morris County cooling centers

To reach any of the Morris County centers, call the number listed.

  • Boonton Township

    • Municipal Building, 155 Powerville Road; call police dispatch: 973-402-4000, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Butler

    • Police Department Community Room, 10 High St., police dispatch 973-838-4100; hours as needed

  • Chatham

    • Library of the Chathams, 214 Main St., police dispatch 973-635-8000, hours as needed

  • Chester Borough

    • Town Hall, 50 North Road, police dispatch 908-879-5514, normal business hours Monday to Friday

  • Chester Township

    • Municipal Building, 1 Parker Road, police dispatch 908-879-5514, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    • Library, West Main St., 908-879-7612

  • Denville

    • Library, 121 Diamond Spring Road, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., 973-627-6555

    • Town Hall Community Room, 1 St. Mary's Place, Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 201-919-1501

  • Dover

    • Trinity Lutheran Church, 123 E. Blackwell St., police dispatch, 973-366-0302, Monday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    • St. John's Episcopal Church, 11 S. Bergen St., police dispatch 973-366-0302, hours as needed (24/7)

  • East Hanover

    • Senior Center, 96 Mount Pleasant Ave., police dispatch 973-887-0432, hours as needed

    • Recreational Center, Fifth Street, police dispatch 973-887-0432, hours as needed

  • Florham Park

    • Senior Center, 111 Ridgedale Ave., police dispatch 973-377-2206, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    • First Aid Squad, 60 Felch Road, police dispatch 973-377-2206, as needed

    • Borough Hall, 111 Ridgedale Ave., police dispatch 973-377-2206, as needed

  • Hanover Township

    • Community Center, 15 North Jefferson Road, police dispatch 973-428-2512, Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., after hours/weekends, contact police

  • Harding

    • Municipal Building, 21 Blue Mill Road, police dispatch 973-455-0500, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., other days/times as needed

  • Jefferson Township

    • Municipal Complex, 1033 Weldon Road, police dispatch 973-697-1300, as needed

  • Kinnelon

    • Kinnelon Library, 132 Kinnelon Road, Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 973-838-1321

    • Borough Hall, 130 Kinnelon Road, Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., weekends as needed, 973-838-5401, police dispatch 973-838-5400 (after hours)

  • Lincoln Park

    • Borough Hall, 34 Chapel St., 973-694-3519, police dispatch 973-694-5533 (after hours)  8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Long Hill

    • Long Hill Library, 917 Valley Road, police dispatch 908-647-1800, as needed

  • Mendham Borough & Mendham Township

    • Public Library, 10 Hilltop Road, borough dispatch 973-543-2993, township dispatch 973-543-2581, Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Mine Hill

    • Mine Hill Civic Center, 12 Baker St., 973-366-9031, as needed

  • Morristown

    • Market Street Mission, 9 Market St., 973-538-0431, as needed

    • Morristown Town Hall, 200 South St., Tuesday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Morris Plains

    • Community Center, 51 Jim Fear Drive, 973-538-3455, police dispatch 973-538-2284 (after hours), Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., as needed

  • Morris Township

    • Town Hall, 50 Woodland Ave., police dispatch 973-539-0777, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., evenings/weekends as needed

  • Montville

    • Montville Senior House 356 Main Road, police dispatch 973-257-4300, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday/Sunday as needed

  • Mount Arlington

    • Civic Center, 18 N. Glen Ave, police dispatch 973-398-2100, as needed

  • MountainLakes

    • Library, 9 Elm Road, police dispatch 973-334-1413, as needed

  • Mount Olive

    • Senior Center, 204 Flanders Drakestown Road, police dispatch 973-691-0850, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Netcong

    • Municipal Building, 23 Maple Ave., police dispatch 973-347-7700, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    • Fire Company 1, 40 Maple Ave., as needed

    • Fire Company 2 Hilltop, 49 College Road, as needed

  • Parsippany

    • Lake Hiawatha Library, 68 Nokomis Ave., police dispatch 973-263-4300, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

    • Mount Tabor Library, 31 Trinity Park, police dispatch 973-263-4301, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

    • Community Center, 1130 Knoll Road, police dispatch 973-263-4302, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    • Parsippany Library, 449 Halsey Road, police dispatch 973-263-4303, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

    • Parsippany PAL, 33 Baldwin Road, 973-335-0555, Saturday/Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Pequannock

    • Senior House, 530 Newark-Pompton Turnpike

  • Pompton Plains

    • Police dispatch 973-835-1700, as needed

  • Randolph

    • Randolph Library, 28 Calais Road, 973-895-3556, police dispatch 973-989-7010 (after hours), Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Riverdale

    • Library, 93 Newark-Pompton Turnpike, 973-835-5044, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday

  • Rockaway Borough

    • Library, 82 East Main St., 973-627-5709, police dispatch 973-627-1314 (after hours), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    • Community Center, 21 Union St., as needed

    • Rockaway Assembly of God, 113 East Main St., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Rockaway Township

    • Public Library, 61 Mount Hope Road, 973-627-2344, police dispatch 973-625-4000, Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday/Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    • Senior Center, 19 Mount Hope Road, as needed

    • Marcella Fire House, 20 Upper Hibernia, as needed

    • Marcella Community House, 831 Green Pond Road, as needed

    • Green Pond Bible Chapel, 1083 Green Pond Road, as needed

    • Town Hall and Police Department, 65 Mount Hope Road, as needed

  • Roxbury

    • Roxbury Library, 103 Main St., Succasunna, police dispatch 973-448-2100, as needed

    • Victory Gardens Fire House, 425 Washington Ave., Fire Department 973-361-8121, as needed

  • Washington Township 

    • Library, 37 East Springtown Road, 908-876-3596, police dispatch 908-876-3232 (after hours), Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

    • Rock Spring Park, Senior Center, 34 East Springtown Road, 908-876-9496, as needed

  • Wharton

    • Municipal Building, 10 Robert St., police dispatch 973-366-0557, as needed

    • Wharton Library, 15 South Main St., as needed

Sussex County cooling centers

Call for hours and availability:

  • Newton

    • Sussex County Library Dennis Branch, 101 Main St., (973) 383-4810

    • Family Promise of Sussex County Day Center, 19 Church St., (973) 579-1180

    • Manna House, First Presbyterian Church of Newton, 54 High St., (973) 383-3302

    • Newton Police Headquarters (on nights, weekends and holidays), 39 Trinity St., (973) 383-2525

  • Sussex County Library branches

    • Main Library 125 Morris Turnpike, Newton. 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Monday-Thursday); 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Friday); 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Saturday)

    • Dennis Branch, 101 Main St., Newton. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Monday & Wednesday); 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)

    • Dorothy Henry Branch 66 Route 94, Vernon. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday); 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Tuesday & Thursday)

    • Franklin Branch 103 Main St., Franklin. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday); 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Tuesday & Thursday)

    • Sussex-Wantage Branch 69 County Route 639, Wantage. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Monday & Wednesday); 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Jersey towns open cooling centers amid heat wave