Heat Wave: Where To Cool Off In Ocean County

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — Forecasters are warning of extreme heat statewide this week as the first heat wave of the year hits the region. And while areas closer to the beach will see slightly cooler temperatures, it still won't be a pleasant week.

Experts urge residents to keep hydrated and stay indoors during the hottest times of day, as it can get dangerous for many with the heat index hitting more than 100 degrees.

It'll be a good time to hit the beach, but most cost money, and it'll definitely be crowded. There are other options, though, that can keep you out of the heat. These spots are great to help you cool off, plus, they're free:

• John C. Bartlett Jr. County Park at Berkeley Island (399 Brennan Concourse, Bayville)
  • A free spray park makes this a fun spot to bring the kids. You can also wade in Barnegat Bay here, if you want the water but don't want ocean waves.
• Ocean County Mall (1201 Hooper Ave., Toms River)
  • Walking around the air-conditioned mall is always free. There's a children's play area too, for the littles to burn some energy.
• The Ocean County Library
  • The 21 branches of the library throughout the county are great unofficial cooling centers. Grab a comfy seat and relax with a good book, check out art exhibits your local branch may have on display or experience some of the fun events that might be going on. The branches are listed below.

LIBRARY HEADQUARTERS

TOMS RIVER: 101 Washington St., Toms River. 732-349-6200; 609-971-0514. TDD: 732-349-6200

BRANCHES

• BARNEGAT: 112 Burr St., Barnegat. 609-698-3331
• BEACHWOOD: 126 Beachwood Blvd., Beachwood. 732-244-4573
• BERKELEY: 30 Station Road, Bayville. 732-269-2144
• BRICK: 301 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick. 732-477-4513
• ISLAND HEIGHTS: Summit and Central avenues, Island Heights. 732-270-6266
• JACKSON: 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. 732-928-4400
• LACEY: 10 East Lacey Road, Forked River. 609-693-8566
• LAKEWOOD: 301 Lexington Ave., Lakewood. 732-363-1435
• LITTLE EGG HARBOR: 290 Mathistown Road, Little Egg Harbor. 609-294-1197
• LONG BEACH ISLAND: 217 So. Central Ave., Surf City. 609-494-2480
• MANCHESTER: 21 Colonial Drive, Manchester. 732-657-7600
• PLUMSTED: 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. 609-758-7888
• POINT PLEASANT: 834 Beaver Dam Road, Point Pleasant. 732-295-1555
• POINT PLEASANT BEACH: 710 McLean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach. 732-892-4575
• STAFFORD: 129 North Main St., Manahawkin. 609-597-3381
• TUCKERTON: 380 Bay Ave., Tuckerton. 609-296-1470
• UPPER SHORES: 112 Jersey City Ave., Lavallette. 732-793-3996
• WARETOWN: 112 Main St., Waretown. 609-693-5133
• WHITING READING CENTER: Whiting Commons Shopping Center, 400 Lacey Road, Suite 5, Whiting. 732-849-039