During the summer and winter months, the City of Alexandria offers several locations as options to those without heating or cooling in their homes, including recreation centers and libraries. 

Neighborhood Recreation Centers (check the webpage for each location’s amenities and program hours)

• Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.)

• Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (25 W. Reed Ave.)

• Lee Center (1108 Jefferson St.)

• Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Ave.)

• Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center (1108 Jefferson St.)

• Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Ave.)

• William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Ave.)

Libraries (Branch hours vary, check branch for hours)

• Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke St.)

• Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library (717 Queen St.)

• Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library (4701 Seminary Road)

• James M. Duncan Branch Library (2501 Commonwealth Ave.)

During the summer and early fall, the Potomac Yard Park Interactive Fountain operates from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through Labor Day weekend. Learn more about the park and Interactive Fountain, including fountain rules. 

Learn more about precautions to take during extreme heat, such as checking on neighbors and keeping pets indoors.

During periods of extreme heat and cold, the City offers heating and cooling centers to residents at the Neighborhood Recreation Center locations listed above, along with expanded hours, additional resources and support for those in need. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the City’s free eNews service to receive news releases, which include vital emergency alerts, for updates during those times.

For adults 60 years of age and older who live in the City of Alexandria, the Senior Cool Care Program offers a cooling fan and other assistance to seniors who meet income and other guidelines. Call 703.746.5999 to find out if you are eligible.

Qualifying households will receive a $400 maximum benefit payment to their Dominion Energy account. Eligibility requirements are that the household must contain at least one person who is over the age of 60, a minor child under the age of 6 or someone receiving disability payments through social security.  There are also income limit requirements which follow the SNAP benefits income eligibility requirements. Clients can apply online at Commonhelp.virginia.gov or by calling the Enterprise Customer Call Center at 855.635.4370.

For more programs and services to help with cooling and heating, see Utility, Heating and Cooling Assistance.