Official websites use .gov
A
.gov website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
Need a break from the summer heat? Looking for a spot to sit with friends? Chill out at a Cool Spot this summer!
Ranging from chairs in shaded areas like parks, to seating along busy streets, Cool Spots are public spaces where community members are encouraged to gather, connect, and cool off. In the first round of implementation completed in June 2025, four pilot locations for Cool Spots have been launched across the City in and around the following areas:
Sennott Park
Greene-Rose Heritage Park
Cambridge Common
Donnelly Field
During the PB10 cycle in 2024, Cambridge residents voted to fund the project titled “Shaded Seats on Hot Streets”. The goal of the project was to provide shaded seating areas throughout the city for community members to catch some shade, especially along busy streets or places where healthy trees cannot grow. This project then developed into the Cool Spots initiative! Visit www.cambridgema.gov/coolspots for the full project proposal.
More Cool Spots will continue to pop up around the city throughout the summer, so stay up to date for ones near you by visiting www.cambridgema.gov/coolspots and keep an eye out for the Cool Spots sticker as you move around the city. If you come across a Cool Spot in need of maintenance, or have suggestions for future locations, leave your feedback on the Cool Spots Survey.
Finding shade is an important part of staying cool, but there are more ways to stay heat safe. During hot summer days, please remember:
Stay cool, stay hydrated: Don’t forget to bring water with you, and take breaks from the sun to avoid heat exhaustion.
Protect your skin: Apply sunscreen and wear a hat to ensure you stay protected.
Recognize Signs of Heat-Related Illness: Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, dizziness) and heat stroke (high body temperature, confusion, unconsciousness). If you or someone else experiences these, move to a cool place, hydrate, and seek medical attention if needed.
Visit the Sustainable Cambridge website at cambridgema.gov/sustainable to learn more about heat safety and other ways to stay safe from extreme weather and moving away from fossil fuels.
Stay cool out there!
As a governmental entity, the Massachusetts Public Records Law applies to records made or received by the City. Any information received through use of this site is subject to the same provisions as information provided on paper.
Read our complete privacy statement
Enter a service request via SeeClickFix for things like missed trash pickups, potholes, etc., click here
