News Articles

Worcester opens cooling centers during heat advisory

Worcester Telegram & Gazette
July 13, 2026 (Updated July 14, 2026, 8:07 a.m. ET)

Worcester is opening cooling centers as the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for a short stretch of this week.

The advisory runs from 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 14 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. High temperatures will fall in the mid 90s both days. Factoring in humidity, Wednesday, July 15 will be the hotter of the two days, with a “feels-like” temperature of 100.

Locations and hours for both days include the Worcester Public Library main branch downtown from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Worcester Senior Center from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and the YMCA of Central Massachusetts (Central Community Branch at 766 Main Street(opens in new tab)) from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Cooling centers also opened during the July 1-3 heat wave.

Areas of high pressure this time of year are causing the elevated heat, said Andrea LaRocca, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service.

Temperatures in the mid- to upper-80s are expected for Thursday, July 16 and Friday, July 17, with lower humidity. LaRocca is calling for the weekend to be “much more seasonable,” with a high temperature of 82.

Read the full article on telegram.com

Join us for a series of Group Exercise Classes in Worcester Parks. FREE and Open to the Public!

Worcester Fitness in the Parks is a free, 11-week program presented by the City of Worcester Department of Health & Human Services and Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA in partnership with the YWCA Central Massachusetts and YMCA of Central Massachusetts. The program runs from June 15 through August 29, Mondays through Saturdays at 7 locations.

The goal of this program is to provide Worcester residents with opportunities to engage in healthy eating, active living, community building and spending the Summer becoming a healthier Worcester. We hope to see you there!

Schedules, Locations, and Registration

Download Fitness in the Parks flyer

Highlights: 

• 11 Week Program
• 13 Classes Each Week
• 7 Sites Throughout Worcester
• Classes for Everyone in the Family
• Free Fitness Program 

There’s nothing quite like the joy of being around water, whether it’s a pool, lake, pond, or ocean, but to truly enjoy it safely, understanding water safety and learning to swim are absolutely essential. Learning to swim isn’t just a skill; it’s a life-saver that empowers us to handle unexpected situations and provides a crucial layer of protection against accidents for ourselves and those around us. Knowing how to swim builds incredible confidence, allowing us to fully participate in all sorts of aquatic fun, from splashing with friends to exploring new underwater worlds, without constant worry.

So, are you and your children confident around water? Let’s make water safety a priority and embrace the invaluable gift of learning to swim, ensuring every splash is a happy and secure one!

The YMCA of Central Massachusetts has teamed up with the City of Worcester to provide FREE water safety swim lessons at a variety of pools and ponds in Worcester. This FREE program is being offered to all interested in the Worcester community.

The goal of this program is to teach participants basic water safety, drowning prevention skills, and to be more comfortable and confident in and around water.

Ages 5 and up. Parents must stay for the entire 30 minute class.

Teen and Adult lessons are also available.

Bell Pond Information
(190 Belmont Street, Worcester, MA)

English – Bell Pond Info Flyer

Español – Bell Pond Folleto

Coes Pond Beach Information
(225 Mill Street, Worcester, MA)

English – Coes Pond Info Flyer

Español – Coes Pond Folleto

Crompton Pool Information
(47 Quinsigamond Ave., Worcester, MA)

English – Crompton Pool Info Flyer

Español – Crompton Pool Folleto

Shore Park Information
(115 Shore Drive, Worcester, MA)

English – Shore Park Info Flyer

Español – Shore Park Folleto 

The program starts on July 6th. Click a link below to register. 

Bell Pond Registration 

Coes Pond Beach Registration

Crompton Pool Registration

Shore Park Registration 

Questions?
Contact Karin Anderson, Association Senior Aquatics Director, for more info:
[email protected]
(P) 774.778.5952

Read the article from the Worcester Guardian 

Read the article from the Telegram and Gazette