Beat The Heat Even On The Street
Stay Cool in Dallas: 2025 Heat Relief Locations and Cooling Centers
With Dallas, Texas, facing scorching summer temperatures in 2025, finding a place to cool off is critical, especially for vulnerable populations like the unsheltered, elderly, and those without adequate air conditioning. The tragic heat-related deaths reported this summer underscore the urgency of accessible cooling centers. One was just reported today in Dallas.
Organizations like OurCalling are stepping up to provide vital relief, offering air-conditioned spaces, hydration, and meals for those in need. Below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to Dallas’s cooling centers, including city facilities, nonprofit shelters, and DART transit centers, to help you beat the heat. We’ve also mapped key locations by area to make it easier to find relief near you.
City of Dallas Cooling Centers
The City of Dallas, in partnership with organizations like Reliant and the Salvation Army, has established cooling centers to provide safe, air-conditioned spaces. These centers are especially active during heat advisories when temperatures exceed 100°F or the heat index surpasses 105°F for multiple days. Here’s where you can go:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center
- Address: 2922 MLK Jr. Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Contact: 214-670-8418 or dallasmlkcenter.com
- Services:
- Air-conditioned space for temporary heat relief
- Limited water supplies (donated by the American Red Cross)
- Portable AC unit applications (starting June 18, 2025; one per household, limited quantities)
- Community programs and resources
- Area: South Dallas
West Dallas Multipurpose Center
- Address: 2828 Fish Trap Rd., Dallas, TX 75212
- Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Contact: 214-670-6340
- Services:
- Air-conditioned environment for heat relief
- Portable AC unit applications (starting June 18, 2025; one per household, limited quantities)
- Access to community resources and programs
- Safe space for vulnerable residents, including the elderly and unsheltered
- Area: West Dallas
Dallas Public Libraries and Recreation Centers
- Locations: Any City of Dallas public library or recreation center
- Hours: Vary by location; check schedules at Dallas Public Library or Dallas Recreation Centers
- Services:
- Air-conditioned spaces for temporary relief
- Access to water and restrooms
- Public amenities like seating, Wi-Fi, and reading areas (libraries)
- Recreational activities and programs (recreation centers)
- Area: Citywide (multiple districts)
DART Transit Centers: Extended Cooling Stations
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system has opened 18 transit centers as cooling stations to provide heat relief, particularly for those using public transportation or lacking access to other facilities. These centers are strategically located across Dallas and surrounding areas, making them accessible for residents on the go. Since specific hours vary by location, check the DART stations page for exact schedules. Below are some key DART transit centers serving as cooling stations, with details on their offerings:
Addison Transit Center
- Address: 4925 Arapaho Rd, Addison, TX 75001
- Services:
- Air-conditioned waiting areas
- Access to water fountains or vending machines
- Restrooms (where available)
- Seating and shelter from the heat
- Public transit connections for easy access
- Area: North Dallas/Addison
Downtown Carrollton Station
- Address: 1013 N Denton Dr, Carrollton, TX 75006
- Services:
- Air-conditioned indoor waiting areas
- Access to water and rest rooms
- Public transit hub for buses and Green Line rail
- Sheltered seating areas
- Area: Northwest Dallas/Carrollton
CBD West Transit Center
- Address: 1445 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202
- Services:
- Air-conditioned indoor spaces
- Water fountains and vending machines
- Restrooms and seating
- Central location with multiple bus connections
- Area: Downtown Dallas
Southwest Medical District/Parkland Station
- Address: 2110 Medical District Dr, Dallas, TX 75235
- Services:
- Air-conditioned waiting areas
- Access to water and restrooms
- Proximity to medical facilities for emergency needs
- Bus and rail connections
- Area: West Dallas/Medical District
❄️ DART Cooling Station Locations (Air-conditioned Transit Centers)
These 18 DART transit centers—including major hubs and transfer locations—offer a climate‑controlled space for relief during hot weather:
Addison Transit Center
Arapaho Center Station
Bernal/Singleton Transfer Location
CBD East Transfer Center
CBD West Transfer Center
Cockrell Hill Transfer Location
Downtown Garland Station
Downtown Irving / Heritage Crossing Station
Hampton Station
Illinois Station
J.B. Jackson Jr. Transit Center / MLK Jr. Station
Jack Hatchell Transit Center
Lake June Station
Lake Ray Hubbard Transit Center
Ledbetter Station
Parker Road Station
Red Bird Transit Center
South Garland Transit Center
For a full list and hours, visit DART’s official stations page. These centers are ideal for transient populations or those relying on public transit, offering air-conditioned relief and hydration during extreme heat.
Nonprofit and Community Cooling Stations
Local nonprofits are stepping up to provide critical support, especially for unsheltered individuals. These organizations offer more than just cooling—they provide meals, hydration, and a sense of community.
OurCalling
- Address: 1702 S. Cesar Chavez Blvd, Dallas, TX 75215
- Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; extended hours when heat index exceeds 105°F
- Services:
- Air-conditioned daytime respite center
- Hydration (water and Gatorade)
- Meals for unsheltered individuals
- Cooling packages (Gatorade, cooling towels)
- Transportation to city cooling facilities
- Area: South Dallas
The Salvation Army Carr P. Collins Social Service Center
- Address: 5302 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235
- Hours: Varies based on heat advisories (typically 9 a.m.–5 p.m. during extreme heat)
- Contact: salvationarmyntx.org
- Services:
- Air-conditioned cooling station
- Bottled water and snacks
- Box fan distribution through food pantries (starting mid-July 2025)
- Financial assistance for utility bills (in partnership with Reliant)
- Check-ins for vulnerable individuals
- Area: West Dallas/Medical District
Union Gospel Mission Dallas (Calvert Place Men’s Shelter)
- Address: 3211 Irving Blvd, Dallas, TX 75247
- Hours: Extended check-in until 7 p.m. during heat advisories
- Contact: ugmdallas.org
- Services:
- Air-conditioned lobby access
- Hydration (accepts donations of bottled water and Gatorade)
- Meals for unsheltered men
- Pet-friendly (kennels provided)
- Area: West Dallas
Austin Street Center
- Address: 1717 Jeffries St, Dallas, TX 75229
- Hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. daily
- Contact: austinstreet.org
- Services:
- Air-conditioned lobby for hydration and phone charging
- Accepts in-kind donations (blankets, towels, hygiene products)
- Support for unsheltered individuals
- Area: Northwest Dallas
Community Crossroads
- Address: 1516 Hemphill St, Dallas, TX 75201
- Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 3 p.m.–6 p.m.
- Services:
- Water and snacks for heat relief
- Air-conditioned space
- Community support services
- Area: Downtown Dallas
Additional Resources
- Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS): Call 214-819-2000 or visit dallascounty.org for heat safety information and resources.
- 211 Texas: Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211texas.org to find nearby cooling centers and assistance programs.
- WinnCoHealth Cooling Center Finder: Check winncohealth.org for an updated list of cooling centers.
Heat Safety Tips
Extreme heat can be deadly, especially for the elderly, young children, and those with chronic illnesses. Here are some tips to stay safe:
- Stay Hydrated: Drink water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you.
- Limit Outdoor Activity: Avoid strenuous work during peak heat hours (10 a.m.–4 p.m.). Use a buddy system and take frequent breaks in the shade.
- Check on Vulnerable Individuals: Regularly check on neighbors, family, or friends who may be at risk, such as seniors or those without AC.
- Never Leave Pets or People in Vehicles: Car interiors can reach deadly temperatures in minutes, even with windows cracked.
- Recognize Heat-Related Illnesses: Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, dizziness, and nausea. Heat stroke symptoms include high body temperature, confusion, and fainting. Seek immediate medical help for heat stroke by calling 911.
Cooling Centers by Dallas Area
Dallas’s cooling centers are distributed across key areas to ensure accessibility. Here’s how they’re spread out:
- South Dallas: Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center and OurCalling provide critical relief near the Fair Park area, ideal for residents and unsheltered individuals in this urban heat island.
- West Dallas: West Dallas Multipurpose Center, Salvation Army Carr P. Collins, Union Gospel Mission, and Southwest Medical District/Parkland Station serve this region, which faces intense heat due to limited green spaces.
- Downtown Dallas: CBD West Transit Center and Community Crossroads offer central access for those in the city core, with easy transit connections.
- North Dallas/Addison: Addison Transit Center caters to northern suburbs, providing relief for commuters and residents.
- Northwest Dallas/Carrollton: Downtown Carrollton Station and Austin Street Center serve this area, supporting both urban and suburban populations.
- Citywide: Dallas public libraries and recreation centers are scattered across all districts, ensuring no resident is too far from relief.
Map of Key Cooling Centers
Note: This is a placeholder map. To create a custom map, go to Google My Maps, add pins for the addresses listed above, and embed the updated map code here. Key locations plotted include Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, West Dallas Multipurpose Center, OurCalling, and select DART stations.
Why Heat Relief Matters in Dallas
Dallas’s 2025 summer has been brutal, with triple-digit temperatures and heat indices exceeding 105°F, as reported by The Salvation Army. Climate data from ClimateCheck projects Dallas will see 39 days above 101.8°F annually by 2050, up from just 7 days in 1990. Urban heat islands in areas like Downtown, West Dallas, and Oak Lawn can be up to 12°F hotter than greener neighborhoods, making cooling centers a lifeline. Organizations like OurCalling are not only providing immediate relief but also distributing cooling packages and transportation to ensure no one is left in the heat. By visiting these centers or donating items like water, Gatorade, or hygiene products, you can help keep our community safe.
Stay cool, Dallas! If you need specific directions or more information, contact the listed organizations or dial 2-1-1 for assistance. Share this guide with anyone who needs it, and let’s work together to beat the heat.
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