Where To Cool Down In Gloucester Township Amid Heat Wave

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — You don't need a friend with a pool to beat the heat. As extreme temperatures and humidity fester around the region, Gloucester Township residents have 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.

Cooling centers around Gloucester Township include:

• Hider Lane Sr. Center (1571 Hider Ln., Laurel Springs)
• Gloucester Township Boro Hall (1261 Chews Landing Rd., Clementon)
• Gloucester Township Library (15 S Black Horse Pike, Blackwood)

See Camden County's full list of cooling centers.

SPRAY PARKS, POOLS AND MORE

Local pools provide another option for beating the heat. Options around the township include:

• Gloucester Township Municipal Pool
• Valleybrook Swim Club (private, for residents of the Valleybrook community in Blackwood)
• Whitman Swim Club in Turnersville
• Gloucester City Swim Club

Check pool restrictions and any potential costs before going.

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.