From hiking safety campaigns and cooling centers to summer reading and pool openings, the city of Phoenix is implementing dozens of programs to help keep its residents safe and cool this summer (photo courtesy of City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department).
After experiencing the hottest summer on record in 2024, and with the “official” summer months still on the horizon, Phoenix already hit its first 100-degree day in 2025 – that was April 11. With the arrival of May, departments within the city of Phoenix are implementing their Heat Response Plan with one main goal: to save lives.
The 2025 plan reads: “To address the significant, inequitable, and growing public health risks associated with extreme heat, the Phoenix City Council unanimously passed the city’s first Heat Response Plan in 2022. This document is the third annual update to the Heat Response Plan.”
On March 25, the city of Phoenix presented the 2025 Heat Response Plan to the mayor and the city council.
“We are going into this year’s heat season with the same intention as the last: to save more lives. Equipped with lessons learned and determination to expand and maximize our impact, we are optimistic that our community partnerships, larger 24-hour cooling center, and additional outreach efforts will bring more people inside and sheltered from dangerous temperatures,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “Extreme heat is a public health emergency that Phoenix is at the frontlines of, and more Valley cities should take similar initiatives to protect their residents. We know that offering wide-ranging temporary heat relief works.”
City of Phoenix departments will take the lead or play a significant role in operating 30 heat response programs and services this summer, including ensuring the safety of the first responders. The City of Phoenix Fire Department responded to more than 1,400 calls for heat emergencies in the 2024 heat season. Here are just a few ways that Phoenix residents can stay cool, find help and enjoy the summer months safely. More information can be found on the Office of Heat Mitigation’s webpage: www.phoenix.gov/heat.
Respite and cooling centers
In 2024, the city opened three libraries as designated extended hour cooling centers, and Burton Barr Central Library and a South Phoenix senior center became 24-hour overnight respite centers. As part of the 2025 Plan, the city will operate a new, 24/7 respite center at 20 W. Jackson St. The site is accessible for people walking and biking and is near public transit. The site will also offer navigation to connect people experiencing homelessness with resources to help end their homelessness, and transportation to shelter or other services as needed.
Phoenix also will extend cooling center hours at Cholla, Harmon and Yucca libraries. The three extended-hour locations will operate until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Sundays from noon-10 p.m. Under the 2025 Plan, full library services will be available during extended operational hours, increasing services available to the entire community.
All these locations, and many more throughout the city, including all other branches of the Phoenix Public Library system, will offer water and heat relief supplies throughout the summer. Find Heat Relief centers across the county at https://azmag.gov/programs/heat-relief-network.
Hiking restrictions go into effect
The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board first voted to implement trail restrictions for heat safety in October 2021. The policy has been periodically modified since its initial adoption. In October 2024, the board voted to modify the Phoenix Trails and Heat Safety Program to all trails at South Mountain Park and Preserve and shift the start time for trail restrictions to begin at 8 a.m., instead of 9 a.m., through 5 p.m.
After pushback from the public, that plan was further modified in March 2025 to restrict only three trails (Holbert, Mormon and Hau’pal Loop, as well as access to the National Trail from the Pima Canyon Trailhead). The program already included the Echo Canyon and Cholla Trails at Camelback Mountain, along with the Piestewa Peak Summit Trail and trails at the Phoenix Mountains Preserve when the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Heat Warning.
In addition, volunteers will be stationed at select trailheads at Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak and South Mountain every Saturday from May 1 to Sept. 30, between 7-10 a.m., providing heat safety education and distributing cold water to trail users. Learn more at www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/take-a-hike-do-it-right.
Summer reading provides escape
“Color Our World” is the theme of this year’s summer reading program.
Beyond a space to step out of the heat and find relief supplies, Phoenix libraries will once again participate in the Maricopa County Reads program this summer. Registration begins in May for the 2025 Summer Reading Program, held June 1 to Aug. 1.
Open to kids, teens and adults, the goal is to get residents reading at least 20 minutes per day, or 1,000 minutes, which helps kids prevent the loss of academic skills during summer break, as well as to make visiting the public library a habit.
Throughout the summer, free activities, such as music and dance performances, arts and crafts and interactive displays, will be offered to patrons of all ages. And those who complete the reading challenge can win prizes – from free books and swag to Phoenix Mercury tickets and free entry to Arizona State Parks & Trails, in addition to grand prize drawings. ZIA Records is a sponsor this year, and new this year, adults can get in on the gameboard fun.
Sign up at www.maricopacountyreads.org or head over to www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org to find details beginning May 1.
Take a dip at city pools
The Parks and Recreation Department operates a network of public pools and splash pads throughout the city that provide heat relief and safe summer recreational opportunities for residents. The “Kool Kids” program eliminates cost barriers to enter select city pools for Phoenix youth.
Cortez, Encanto, Madison, Perry and Sunnyslope pools will open for Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-26, and will then be open May 31 to July 27 (Perry opens June 30) Monday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday; all but Madison also will be open weekends Aug. 2 through Sept. 1. Visit www.phoenix.gov/parks/pools.
Cool and safe homes are crucial
The Neighborhood Services Department enforces the city’s cooling ordinance, which sets minimum temperature requirements for cooling systems in all single and multi-family rental housing units. Each rental housing unit must be able to safely cool all livable rooms to 86°F when using evaporative cooling and 82°F when using air conditioning. Visit www.phoenix.gov/nsd.
In addition, the Human Services Department operates the city’s utility assistance program for residents, which aids in covering costs for electricity, water and gas services. Assistance is provided through federal, state and local utility assistance funding initiatives. Learn more at www.phoenix.gov/humanservices.
Residents in need of additional assistance can contact the city at 602-262-3111. Find statewide resources online at www.211arizona.org or by calling 2-1-1.
