Where To Cool Off In Kirkland During The Heat Wave

KIRKLAND, WA — Temperatures are poised to soar into the mid-90s on Thursday and Friday in Kirkland, and neighbors have a few options to help beat the heat. Two cooling centers will operate on the hottest days of the heat wave, welcoming residents and furry friends from noon until night:

Kirkland Cooling Centers (Aug. 12 - Aug. 13)

Thursday (12 p.m. - 8 p.m.)

• Peter Kirk Community Center (352 Kirkland Ave)
• Kirkland City Hall (123 5th Ave)

Friday (12 p.m. - 8 p.m.)

• Peter Kirk Community Center (352 Kirkland Ave)
• Kirkland City Hall (123 5th Ave)

Both air-conditioned spaces are open to all community members and offer distanced seating, tables and free water. Pets are also welcome, provided dogs are leashed and cats are crated.

Cooling center guidelines:

• Cooling center guests must complete a COVID-19 screening before entering City facilities.
• Facial coverings will be required indoors.
• Guests will be asked to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between themselves and people outside of their household.
• Leashed dogs and crated cats are permitted, however, pets must be under owner control at all times and any pet-related “accidents” must be cleaned up by the pet owner.

Beyond the two cooling centers, residents can also check out the Peter Kirk Pool, which is offering open swims at reduced capacity. Kirkland's Waverly Beach and Juanita Beach are open to swimmers and have lifeguards on-duty, while Houghton Beach remains closed due to elevated bacteria levels. Despite the soaring temperatures, residents should also remember that area lakes and rivers remain very cold, and swimming in unguarded areas can pose significant risks.

Brush up on water safety reminders and the best practices for navigating hot weather on the King County website.

Other cooling options around King County include:

• Auburn – Auburn Senior Activity Center
• Bellevue – North Bellevue and Crossroads community centers, various beaches and water features
• Burien – Burien Community Center
• Covington – Covington City Hall
• Des Moines – Des Moines Senior Activity Center
• Enumclaw – Enumclaw Senior Center
• Federal Way – Federal Way Community Center
• Issaquah – Issaquah Senior Center
• Kenmore – The Hanger and Kenmore Library
• Kent – Kent Commons Community Center, Kent Public Library
• Kirkland – Multiple locations
• Maple Valley – Lake Wilderness Lodge, Greater Maple Valley Community Center
• North Bend – Multiple locations
• Redmond – Various splashpads
• Renton – Renton Senior Activity Center
• Sammamish – Sammamish Library
• SeaTac – Community Center
• Seattle – Multiple locations
• Shoreline – Shoreline City Hall
• Snoqualmie – Multiple locations
• Tukwila – Multiple locations