Mpls. offers places to cool off

MINNEAPOLIS -- With the heat index expected to hit or exceed 105 degrees on July Fourth, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will be offering residents some places to cool off.

In addition to its one dozen beaches, 65 wading pools and two water parks, the department will open some of its air-conditioned recreation centers.

"We imagine our beaches and wading pools are going to be packed, and our water parks," says Dawn Sommers, the park board's communications and marketing manager. "We do have nine of of our 18 air-conditioned centers are open. We typically in the past have not had our recreation centers open on July Fourth. But they are open this year."

The park board closes recreation centers without air conditioning when the heat index reaches 105 degrees.

It also cancels youth sports games. For beach, pool, water park and recreation center locations and information, visit minneapolisparks.org.