(hot) dish: two city pools to open today and tomorrow due to exteme heat

It's certainly HOT outside. And Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has responded by asking the Department of Recreation and Parks to open the Druid Hill and Patterson Park Pools today and tomorrow to from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is $1.50.

“Baltimore faces extreme heat,” said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. “In addition to the Cooling Centers open throughout the city as part of our Code Red plan, the large park pools will provide an opportunity for young people and families to stay cool and safe.”

Forecasters predict temperatures will rise to the upper nineties today and Thursday. However, with the humidity, the heat index will exceed 100. Because of the high temperatures, Baltimore City Public Schools will have half-days.

Both pools have been open since May 28 on weekends only. City pools will begin full-time operations on June 25, following the end of the school year. For more information about city pool hours, visit Department of Recreation and Parks.

Image of Druid Hill Park Pool, from The Baltimore Sun.