DURHAM, N.C. – For Durham mother Sierra Hurdle, a trip to Hillside Pool has become more than a summer activity. It has become a way for her children to escape the heat, stay active and enjoy a safe place to cool off.
“You can expect from the time that it opens there are already people waiting to jump inside,” Hurdle said.
As temperatures continue to climb across North Carolina, families across Durham are looking for affordable ways to stay safe during periods of extreme heat. For many residents, public spaces like Hillside Pool have become an important resource during one of the hottest summers on record.
Hillside Pool, operated by Durham Parks and Recreation, is the city’s only open public outdoor pool this summer, making it a popular destination for families looking for relief from high temperatures. With limited outdoor swimming options available, residents say the demand for the pool has increased as temperatures rise.
For Hurdle and other parents, the pool provides more than a place to swim. It offers children an opportunity to spend time outdoors while avoiding the dangers associated with prolonged heat exposure.
Extreme heat can be especially dangerous for children, older adults and people with underlying health conditions. Medical experts warn that extended exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion, dehydration and heat stroke, which can become life-threatening without proper treatment.
The need for accessible cooling options has become a growing concern across North Carolina as summer temperatures continue to increase. While some families have access to private pools or air conditioning, others rely on public spaces and community resources to stay comfortable and safe.
Beyond recreation centers and public pools, organizations throughout the Triangle are also responding to the effects of extreme heat.
In Durham, the Durham Rescue Mission has opened its Operation Cool shelter, providing a place for people experiencing homelessness and others in need to escape dangerous temperatures. The cooling center is open seven days a week and offers visitors access to air conditioning, water, meals, showers and clean clothing.
“People don’t realize it, but hot weather is just as dangerous and sometimes even more dangerous than cold weather,” said Durham Rescue Mission CEO Rob Tart.
Tart said the organization works to make sure residents know they can use the cooling center without committing to the mission’s long-term programs.
“We want to make sure they know they can come here and get some relief and get some air conditioning, get some water or some other fluids in them to make sure that they got everything they need,” Tart said.
Medical professionals say extreme heat can affect people differently depending on their health, access to resources and living conditions.
Dr. Ryan Lamb, medical director with UNC Health, said individuals with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease may have a more difficult time adjusting to extreme temperatures.
“When your body is trying to make those adjustments, it makes it much harder if you have those underlying conditions,” Lamb said.
Heat-related risks can also be influenced by broader community factors. Neighborhoods with fewer cooling resources, limited green space or older housing can leave some residents more vulnerable during extreme weather events.
For Durham families, public spaces like Hillside Pool serve as an important reminder of the role community resources play during challenging conditions. The pool offers children a chance to enjoy summer while providing parents with an affordable option to help keep their families cool.
As extreme heat becomes a growing concern throughout North Carolina, local organizations and public spaces continue working to provide residents with places to find relief.
For families like Hurdle’s, Hillside Pool represents more than a summer tradition. It is a community resource that helps children stay safe, active and connected during the hottest months of the year.
As temperatures continue to rise, Durham residents are finding that staying cool requires more than simply escaping the heat. It requires access to spaces where everyone has the opportunity to find relief.
