Where To Cool Down In Cherry Hill Amid Heat Wave

CHERRY HILL, NJ — You don't need a friend with a pool to beat the heat. As extreme temperatures and humidity fester around the region, Cherry Hill residents can find several ways to cool off.

On Friday, forecasters expect Greater Philadelphia to hit 109 degrees in "apparent" temperature — a combination of the heat index and wind chill to measure how hot it feels. Inland South Jersey's heat index will reach 105 on Saturday, before rainstorms begin that night and help to decrease temperatures, the National Weather Service says.

Keep in mind: some of Patch's recommendations for beating the heat involve outdoor activities, such as spray parks and waterparks. The excessive heat and air-quality issues will increase the potential for multiple health risks on Friday. So if you spend time outside, make sure to take proper precautions. Read more: 110 Degrees? Excessive Heat, Poor Air Plague South Jersey

Here are some local places to beat the heat:

COOLING CENTERS

Communities around Camden County have opened cooling centers for residents who need an air-conditioned reprieve. Certain facilities become cooling centers during emergency activations brought by extreme heat. So Camden County's listed facilities will serve as cooling centers through Saturday, but not every location will remain during that entire period.

The Cherry Hill Mall is the only cooling center in the township — operating Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. But Cherry Hill residents can also access different cooling centers around Camden County.

See the county's full list of cooling centers.

SPRAY PARKS, POOLS AND MORE

Local pools provide another option for beating the heat. Nearby options include:

• Barclay Farm Swim Club, Cherry Hill
• Erlton Swim Club, Cherry Hill
• Downs Farm Swim Club, Cherry Hill
• Charleston Swim Club, Cherry Hill
• Woodcrest Swim Club, Cherry Hill

Before heading out, check for any membership requirements or potential costs to use each pool.

The City of Camden has nine spray pools open to the public from 12-8 p.m. daily. Find them here. Fasola Park in Deptford also has a splash pad.

Or, consider a day at the water park. Nearby parks include Big Kahuna's Water Park in West Berlin, Clementon Park & Splash World, and The Splashplex in Mount Laurel.