LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — As dangerous summer heat settles over Louisville this week, city leaders are reminding residents there are several places to cool off ahead of the holiday weekend.

Louisville is offering multiple ways for people to beat the heat, including public pools, splash pads, community centers and libraries.

Four community pools are currently open across the city: Algonquin Park Pool, Camp Taylor Memorial Park Pool, Sun Valley Park Pool and Fairdale Pool.

Admission for the pools is $2 for children 12 and under and $3 for anyone else. 

More than 30 splash pads are also open from dawn until dusk across the Louisville Metro. Click here for a full list.

Doctors with Norton Healthcare also shared tips on how to avoid heat-related illnesses.

"If you're gonna be out in the heat, you need to be prepared," said Doctor Thomas Cunningham with Norton. 

Cunningham recommends limiting outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, staying in the shade when possible and drinking plenty of water, even before feeling thirsty.

He also said alcohol can worsen dehydration, so anyone planning to drink should make sure to consume plenty of water.

Additionally, young children and older adults face a higher risk of heat-related illnesses, so it's important to check up on them as temperatures soar.

For further relief, Green said there are 14, well air-conditioned community centers and 17 libraries around the city that can serve as cooling centers.

The Senior Nutrition Program also operates 16 locations for people 60 or older to receive free, nutritious meals.

Louisville area cooling centers:

  • Jeffersonville Township Public Library
    • 211 E. Court Ave., Jeffersonville
    • Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • New Albany-Floyd County Public Library
    • 180 W. Spring St., New Albany
    • Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Clarksville Public Library
    • 1312 Eastern Blvd., Clarksville
    • Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Friday-Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Salvation Army
    • 528 Little League Blvd., Clarksville
    • Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Open as a cooling center when temperatures reach 100 degrees or higher.
  • Culbertson Baptist Church
    • 4007 Grant Line Road, New Albany
    • Open 2-7 p.m.
  • Metro Government facilities
    • Louisville Free Public Library
      • All 17 LFPL locations are open during regular hours and can serve as a respite from the heat. Review hours and exact locations online
    • Senior Nutrition Sites
      • The Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program operates 14 congregate sites for seniors 60 and older that provide a nutritious lunchtime meal and activities at air-conditioned facilities. Full hours and how to make a lunch reservation can be found online.

And the city's Homeless Resource team is putting water trailers at several locations in Louisville. Anyone needing a place to stay can go to a homeless shelter where a white flag is displayed outside.

Operation White Flag:

  • Operation White Flag is a program to ensure individuals experiencing homelessness can find shelter during severe heat and severe cold.
  • Operation White Flag goes into effect when the heat index is 95 degrees or higher, and a white flag will fly outside each participating shelter signaling their participation in the program. People needing shelter can stay at the participating Operation White Flag shelter while weather conditions persist.
  • For a full list of shelters and more Louisville cooling resources, click here.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.

Â