Jaycee Park splash pad packed as Lee County heat index soars

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Families in Cape Coral are finding creative ways to beat the heat this summer, and Jaycee Park is one of the most popular spots to do it.

Every shaded spot at the park was taken up by families looking to stay cool while their kids ran through the splash pad.

Dr. Sue Hook from the Samaritan Health and Wellness Center was at the park and said most people are handling the heat by heading to water or staying indoors.

"Most people are either going to pools or splash pads or staying indoors with air conditioning," Hook said.

The National Weather Service says the mix of heat and humidity can make it feel up to 15 degrees hotter outside.

Hook said when temperatures get this high, knowing the warning signs matters.

"The difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is that when it crosses the border into heat stroke, your body temperature will elevate, sometimes 105, 106, but you will no longer cool, you will no longer sweat," Hook said.

The heat risk in Lee County sits at Level 3 out of four, and Hook says that is not something to take lightly.

"Your heart rate will go up way beyond 100, you could pass out and this could cause death," Hook said.

For families looking to stay cool, the City of Cape Coral shared a list of indoor and outdoor options.

Indoor spots include the Lake Kennedy Center, South Cape Community Center, Cape Coral Art Center, Four Freedoms Park Community Center, William "Bill" Austen Youth Center and Rotary Park Environmental Center.

Families who prefer to be outside near the water can head to Jaycee Park's 5,000-square-foot splash pad, Yacht Club Community Park Beach, Crystal Lake Park or Saratoga Lake Park.