This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

How Woodbury Beat The Heat

Patch asked Woodbury residents how they handled the record heat of late.

Amidst a prolonged stretch of dangerously high temperatures and humidity levels—the worst Minnesota heat wave in years, according to some—Woodbury residents took to the safety and comfort of staying chilled indoors... and headed to a popular city beach to cool off.

Keeping cool is a little tougher for Aly Wilbuy. She works at  , where “our baker tries to keep the oven on less… not baking less, but just not leaving it on as much” to keep the heat at a minimum, she said.

At home, Wilbuy said she stays in the air conditioning as much as possible.

Find out what's happening in Woodburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“And I keep the blinds (at home) shut more than usual—it keeps the sun out," she said.

Meanwhile, a group sat at a picnic table under partial shade earlier this week, when the heat index reached 115 at times.

Find out what's happening in Woodburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“It’s amazing,” said Pang Yang. “I cannot believe it—it feels like it’s over 100 (degrees).”

“We get used to it,” said his brother, Donnie Yang.

Still, the two said they have to take advantage of Minnesota's short summers, despite the heat.

“We’ll take what we can. Time is flying by,” said Pang. “I think by July, that should be it (for the heat).”

The brothers also said they enjoy visiting the archery range at Carver Lake Park every week.

“This is pretty neat here,” said Pang.

Added Donnie: “The beach is beautiful."

Down the hill at Carver Lake Beach, Woodbury resident Sarah Vall said she has been dealing with the heat wave by “staying inside in the AC as much as possible.”

Wednesday morning was a different story, though.

“I work three jobs, and today’s my day off, so I might as well get sun burnt—go from white, to red, to white,” Vall said.

She said Wednesday was her first time this year being able to visit the beach and get some sun. Vall is usually busy working full time at David’s Bridal, along with part-time jobs at and selling Lia Sophia jewelry.

“I’ve been keeping hydrated,” she said. “It’s not too bad (at the beach); there’s been a cool breeze.”

But all that time in the sun has its drawbacks.

“I won’t be able to sleep ‘cause I’ll be sun burnt," Vall said.

A few yards away, under one of the beach’s large umbrellas, Kylee Sandquist sat on a large towel with her young son.

“It’s hard when you have a 2-and-a-half-year-old to be stuck inside,” she said. “My 6-month-old (daughter) is a lot more calm.”

To stay cool on Wednesday, the family went to the Eagan Community Center for open gym.

"Then we came here to go swimming… they like to play in the sprinkler (at home). A lot of water activities,” Sandquist said. “We’re just hanging out; this has been great.”

On the hottest and most humid days, she said they go outside for five minutes or so at a time.

“I don’t know that I’m necessarily surprised (about the heat wave). It was such an extreme winter, so of course, why not have an extreme summer. It has been wickedly hot, and I hate the heat—that’s why I live in Minnesota.”

She had an accident and fell down in the park’s parking lot earlier, and she felt fortunate to have 10-year-old Ian Ballantyne, a neighbor’s son, along with them today to help with her two young children. The neighboring families also go to the same church.

Ian had been keeping cool “by swimming, and staying inside, and drinking a lot of water,” he said.

“That’s good thinking, Ian,” said Sandquist of the reminder to stay hydrated.

As noontime approached, Sandquist noted that it was getting hotter.

“I’ll come really early in the morning, if I come back tomorrow," she said.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?