STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Islanders headed to the boroughs beaches and parks to cool off during the intense heatwave on Sunday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a heat advisory Sunday, warning of heat index values up to 104 degrees.

The advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. on Monday, the NWS said.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and state Department of Health (DOH) issued an air quality health advisory Sunday, which is in effect until 11 p.m. Sunday.

Residents are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, and reschedule events to early morning or evenings to avoid the heat, NWS says.

Despite the warnings, Wolfes Pond Park, Princes Bay and Conference House Park, Tottenville were buzzing with activity.

Large groups were seen on Sunday gathered at Wolfes Pond Park, with some grilling lunch and others sitting at tables. Many sunbathers sat on the beach or took a dip in the water.

In both parks, many people were seen using the shade to protect themselves from the sun.

One mom said that despite the warnings about the heat, the beach is the best way to stay cool.

I always go to the beach with my family on days like this. The water helps more than anything else, Yesenia Brown, Rossville mother-of-two, said.

Brown brings jugs of water with ice in them to keep her and her two sons cool as they sit on the beach.

Regularly applying sunscreen and bringing a beach umbrella are also key ways to stay safe, Brown said.

Its hot, but I dont want that to ruin [my kids] fun and their summer, she said. As long as we have sunscreen and some water, Im good to go.

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Staten Islanders head to parks, beaches to beat the heat - SILive.com