Ballard Bridge gets another round of cooling showers during heatwave

Meghan Walker Ballard

Seattle is in the midst of yet another heatwave—this time with a heavy dose of wildfire smoke.

The City has highlighted several public cooling centers and pools to help folks manage the high temps, which are expected to last through Saturday. The City is also working with regional partners to monitor critical infrastructures such as power systems, water systems, roadways, and bridges during the extreme heat watch.

SDOT will be out spraying cool water on the Ballard, Fremont, and University Bridges throughout the afternoon each day of the heatwave to help reduce the risk of the draw bridges’ movable steel parts expanding and getting stuck. SDOT says travelers should plan for brief closures of similar length to normal draw bridge openings. SDOT will continue these cool water baths as long as temperatures remain above 85 degrees.

Public cooling centers are available across the city; check out this interactive map to find options near you.

Cooling center options include libraries, recreation centers, and senior centers. All city-owned centers will require visitors to wear masks and maintain distance from people outside your household. Below is a list of options around the city.

Air-conditioned North Seattle libraries open on Friday, August 13 from 10 am to 6pm:

  • Ballard Branch: (5614 22nd Ave. NW)
  • Broadview Branch (12755 Greenwood Ave. N.)
  • Greenwood Branch (8016 Greenwood Ave. N.)
  • Lake City Branch (12501 28th Ave. NE)
  • Magnolia Branch (2801 34th Ave. W.)

Air-conditioned North Seattle libraries open on Saturday, August 14 from 10 am to 6pm:

  • Ballard Branch: (5614 22nd Ave. NW)
  • Broadview Branch (12755 Greenwood Ave. N.)
  • Lake City Branch (12501 28th Ave. NE)
  • Northgate Branch (10548 Fifth Ave. NE)

The Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall is also open daily from 10 am to 6 pm and has air conditioning and air filtration. The International Fountain at the Seattle Center is on from 10 am to 9 pm daily.

Seattle Parks and Recreation will open cooling centers at the following community centers with air-conditioning through Saturday from 2 pm – 8 pm.

  • Rainier Beach Community Center (8825 Rainier Ave S)
  • International District/Chinatown Community Center (719 8th Ave S)
  • Northgate Community Center (10510 5th Ave NE)
  • Magnuson Building #406 (6344 NE 74th ST, #406)

Seattle Parks and Recreation also offers a variety of pools, splash pads, lifeguarded beaches, and other recreational sites; for a full listing of these sites and their hours of operation, visit Seattle.gov/Parks. As a reminder, the Ballard spray park is still closed.

The following senior centers will be open; call ahead for hours and availability:

  • Central Area Senior Center (500 30th Ave S), Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM and Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; 206-726-4926
  • Greenwood Senior Center (525 N 85th St), Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM and Saturday 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM; Dogs Permitted; 206-297-0875
  • Pike Market Senior Center (85 Pike St, Suite 200), Monday – Friday, 8:20 AM – 2:00 PM and Saturday – Sunday, 8:20 AM – 1:00 PM; 206-728-2773
  • Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon St), Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Pets Permitted; 206-932-4044
  • Southeast Seattle Senior Center (4655 South Holly St), Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; 206-722-0317
  • Wallingford Community Senior Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 140), Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Pets Permitted; 206-461-7825: Note – this location does not have air conditioning

The following day center locations for people experiencing homelessness are open to the public (with some restrictions), accept pets, and have air-conditioning:

  • Community Drop-In Center – Seattle Indian Center (1265 S Main St suite 105), Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • The Salvation Army Jefferson Day Center (4th & Jefferson), Monday – Sunday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Urban Rest Stop – Ballard (2014-B NW 57th St), Monday – Friday, 6:30 AM – 1:30 PM
  • Urban Rest Stop – Downtown (1924 Ninth Avenue), Monday – Friday from 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM and Saturday – Sunday from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Orion Center (1828 Yale Ave), Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM and Saturday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Youth only (ages 12 to 24)
  • Mary’s Place Day Center (1831 Ninth Ave), Monday – Friday from 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Women or Women with Children only

The extreme heat warning extends through the end of the day on Saturday. The public health department of King County is reminding folks to stay hydrated, keep homes cool by shutting blinds or closing curtains, and using fans or air-conditioners where available.

Check on your neighbors and friends, especially seniors or folks with medical conditions.

Public health is also urging people to avoid outdoor activities or exercise during the heat of the day, and to never leave children or pets inside vehicles.