BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — As the hot weather brings stifling air into the subways and streets and it seems impossible to beat the heat, you don’t need to leave the neighborhood to cool off.
Take a break from the sweltering sun at these spots around Bed-Stuy, from public pools and park spray showers to air-conditioned centers in the area.
Swimming Pools
► Kosciuszko Pool
Marcy Avenue between DeKalb Avenue and Kosciuszko Street
Take a dip in the city’s free outdoor Olympic-size pool. Kosciuszko is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a break between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. for pool cleaning. Up to 920 swimmers can cool down, and there’s also a spray pool, baby pool, bleachers and a bathhouse on site.
► Jesse Owens Playground & Pool
Stuyvesant and Lafayette avenues
Dip your toes in the waters at Jesse Owens’ mini pool, or sprint through the sprinklers at this Bed-Stuy park. Future renovations are planned for the 4-foot-deep pool along with other improvements.
► Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA
1121 Bedford Ave.
Jump right in at the Bed-Stuy Y's pool. There are classes for adults and kids, as well as fitness sessions including water aerobics and an aqua boot camp. The pool is open for lap swims during the early morning and evening. Membership for adults start at $55 per month and $45 for seniors, with varying annual rates for teens and kids.
Shaded Spots
► Marcy Plaza
Marcy Avenue and Fulton Street
This decorated plaza offers ample seating and shade under umbrellas, making it a perfect gathering spot for a quick meeting or a lunch break.
Spray Showers
Grab some shade under the trees and get some respite from the high temperatures at these public sprinklers. You can take the kids for a swing or play some ball before running through the spray fountain.
► Jackie Robinson Park
Malcolm X Boulevard between Chauncey and Marion Streets
► Marcy Playground
Myrtle Avenue between Marcy and Nostrand avenues
► Crispus Attucks Playground
Classon Avenue between Fulton Street and Lefferts Place
► Lafayette Gardens Playground
Franklin and Lafayette avenues
► John Hancock Playground
Hancock Street and Bedford Avenue
► Sumner Playground
Throop and Park avenues
► Stockton Playground
Park and Marcy avenues
► Willoughby Playground
Willoughby and Tompkins Avenue
► El Shabazz Playground
Macon Street between Stuyvesant Avenue and Malcolm X Boulevard
► Potomac Playground
Tompkins Avenue and Halsey Street
► Hattie Carthan Playground
Tompkins Avenue between Monroe and Madison streets
► Star Spangled Playground
Franklin Avenue between Willoughby and DeKalb avenues
Cooling Centers
► Macon Library
361 Lewis Ave.
Kick back with a good book and cool off in the air-conditioned space at Macon Library. Designated by the city as a cooling center, the library offers some relief during heat waves.
► Stuyvesant Gardens Community Center
214 Stuyvesant Ave.
Escape the sun at this local community center, where the cold air is sure to be on full blast. Check out the city’s website to find other cooling centers closest to you.
► Salvation Army Corps Community Center
601 Lafayette Ave.
In addition to providing resources for the community, this Salvation Army center keeps local residents cool. Kids can take advantage of day camp activities, and adults can check out a variety of recreational, educational and health programs.