Cooling shelters open in Ashland, Medford

Morgan Rothborne, Mail Tribune, Medford, Ore.
·2 min read

Jul. 11—Temperatures Monday were expected to hit 105 degrees, prompting Ashland and Medford to open cooling shelters for those in need of relief.

Ashland's cooling shelter can be found in the Guanajuato Room of the Ashland library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd. It will be open from noon to 8 p.m. The shelter allows service animals if they are kept on a leash.

Volunteers will staff the shelter. People using the shelter are asked to wear masks, which will be provided on site.

Water donations are welcomed and can be dropped off at the shelter site during operational hours.

"We want to remind the citizens of Ashland that they can find comfort in a shady park, whether it be a developed area with a lawn and picnic table, or a shady trail alongside a creek," APRC Director Michael A. Black said on the city of Ashland website.

For additional respite during the heat, Ashland parks reminded residents to enjoy the Daniel Meyer Memorial Park in Hunter Park, the splash pad at Garfield Park or the swim reservoir and wading pool at Lithia Park.

For more on how to stay cool in Ashland's Parks, see www.ashland.or.us/news.asp?newsid=5115.

Medford's cooling shelter will be open Monday at the Medford library, 205 S. Central Ave., from noon to 8 p.m.

Local nonprofit ACCESS and Jackson County Library Services are jointly running the shelter, providing water, ice pops, restrooms, snacks and an area for pets.

Text MED4SHELTERS to 888777 to be notified anytime a cooling or warming shelter is opened.

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating to Medford's cooling shelter can email volunteer@accesshelps.org.

Reach Mail Tribune reporter Morgan Rothborne at mrothborne@rosebudmedia.com or 541-776-4487. Follow her on Twitter @MRothborne.