How And Where To Stay Cool In City Of Hillsboro

Press release from the City of Hillsboro:

June 29, 2021

How and Where to Stay Cool

Safety is our top priority during periods of extreme heat and high temperatures.

Immediate Assistance

• Call 9-1-1 if you or someone else is experiencing a life threatening emergency.
• If you are unable to call, you may also text 9-1-1.

Find a map of Cooling Stations, Water Dispensers, and Spraygrounds.

Ride Services

DO NOT wait in the heat for public transit.

• Call someone you trust for a ride or schedule a ride with a private service.
• Older adults who need transportation to a cooling station can call the Aging & Disability Resource Connection at 503-846-3060 Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
• People with disabilities and older adults are eligible for free door-to-door ride services from Ride Connection. Availability and days of service vary. Call 503-225-0700 or Text Telephone (TTY) 7-1-1 to get set up.

Cooling Stations

Four cooling stations are open with air conditioning, seating, and access to water. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, spend as much time as you can where air conditioning is available.

The health and safety of staff and visitors at cooling stations is our highest priority. Face coverings (masks) are required within City of Hillsboro cooling stations due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

Brookwood Library

• 10 am to 8 pm, through Tuesday, June 29
• 2850 NE Brookwood Parkway

Hillsboro Civic Center (Above Outdoors In)

• 10 am to 8 pm, through Tuesday, June 29
• 120 E Main Street, staffed by Project Homeless Connect
• Access the cooling shelter from the Civic Center plaza through the entrance next to Outdoors In.

Wingspan Event and Conference Center

• 10 am to 8 pm, Tuesday, June 29
• 801 NE 34th Avenue at Westside Commons (former Washington County Fair Complex)
• Pet-friendly location: Bring pets in a crate, along with a collar, leash, ID tags, food, and bowls.

Hometown Tap Water Dispensers

Two Hometown Tap water dispensers are offering clean, safe, and cold drinking water for free. Please bring your own refillable water bottle, cup, or container.

Downtown Hillsboro

• 2nd Avenue & Main Street intersection
• 6 am to 8 pm, through Wednesday, June 30

Shute Park

• 750 SE 8th Ave
• 6 am to 8 pm, through Wednesday, June 30

Spraygrounds

Six spraygrounds are open to help families cool off.

53rd  Avenue Community Park

• 300 NE 53rd Avenue
• 10 am to 8 pm

Butternut Creek Park

• 7830 SE Deline St
• 10 am to 8 pm

Civic Center Plaza

• 150 E Main Street
• 8 am to 8 pm

Magnolia Park

• 1810 NW 192nd Avenue
• 10 am to 8 pm

Walnut Street Park

• 1717 SE Walnut Street
• 10 am to 8 pm

Jerry Willey Plaza at Orenco Station

• 943 NE Orenco Station Loop
• 10 am to 8 pm

Other Locations

Boys & Girls Aid Safe Place for Youth

• 454 SE Washington Street, Hillsboro
• 9 am to 8 pm
• Open to anyone ages 12 to 20

Safe Place for Youth offers air conditioning, food, cold water, showers, and recreational activities. The site allows up to three drop-in youth at one time to allow for safe physical distancing. Masks must be worn, except when eating.

Washington County Libraries

Visit Washington County Cooperative Library Services website for hours of operation at other libraries in the county.

The Beaverton City Library will be open extended hours to serve as a cooling center.

• Tuesday, June 29, 10 am to 9 pm

Malls, Movie Theaters, and Indoor Entertainment

Indoor shopping malls are a good place to stay cool, as are movie theaters and other indoor entertainment and dining establishments. Call ahead or look online to see what restrictions are in place due to COVID-19.

Map of Cooling Stations, Hometown Tap Water Dispensers, and Spraygrounds

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Total 12 facilities found.

Health and Safety Information

How to Stay Cool at Home

Community members are urged to check in with family, friends, and neighbors – especially young children, older adults and people with chronic medical problems – as they are more vulnerable to heat-related illness.

Older adults who need transportation to a cooling center or other assistance can call the Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 503-846-3060 Monday through Friday, 8 a to 5 pm. Or visit ADRC’s website.

In addition to staying in air-conditioned locations, community members are urged to:

• Avoid using fans as your primary cooling device, especially when it gets extremely hot inside. Instead, mist yourself with a spray bottle, and then use the fan to get the cooling benefits of evaporation.
• Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services has a limited supply of free electric fans for individuals ages 60 and up in Washington County. Call 503-846-3060.
• Drink plenty of fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Water is best. Limit sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing – and sunscreen.
• Exercise in the early morning when it’s cooler.
• Avoid strenuous activity in the heat of the day.
• Take cool showers or baths.
• Get a baby pool or play in a sprinkler.
• Avoid doing laundry.
• Eat small, light meals.
• Never leave children or pets in cars.
• Wear a lifejacket and take other safety precautions in rivers and lakes. More information on water safety is available on the Red Cross webpage.

No Air Conditioning? 5 Tips to Stay Cool

1. Let cool nighttime air in.
   Open windows before bed, close in the morning
2. Keep blinds closed Block sunlight and heat from getting in.
   Use fans & mist /water Fans should rotate counter-clockwise
3. Cook outdoors.
   Avoid using your stove or oven
4. Sleep low.
   Heat rises, sleep on the lowest level possible.

Heat-related illness can be extremely dangerous, even deadly. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to learn about signs, symptoms and treatment.

Washington County will post any urgent updates on their Stay Cool Washington County webpage.

Wear Sunscreen

Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.

Weather Updates

• 06/24/2021

  Extreme Heat in Hillsboro: Cooling Stations and Water Dispensers Extended

• 06/22/2021

  High Fire Danger Burn Ban in effect in Washington County

• 04/27/2021

  4 Steps to Maximize Your Home’s Irrigation

This press release was produced by the City of Hillsboro. The views expressed here are the author’s own.