New York City is one of the most well-known cities in the world. Known for its Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty, there is no other city like it. It is also the most populated city in the country, with a population of more than 8.8 million residents! The city has five boroughs (neighborhoods), including Staten Island, The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn.
New York has an average high of 85 degrees F in summer and 52 degrees F in the winter, making it a city that sees all four seasons. It sees about 30 inches of snow and 20 inches of rain each year but many days are perfectly sunny and warm, especially in the springtime. The city has one of the highest numbers of parks in the country, with over 1,700. We found some great dog parks in New York where you can take your fur buddy.
Central Park
The most renowned park in the world, Central Park has several off-leash dog areas as well as off-leash hours for the rest of the park. First of all, your pooch is welcome to be off-leash from 6 to 9 AM and 9 PM and 1 AM but must be leashed from 9 AM to 9 PM daily. This includes most of the park except for several areas like the East Green, Children’s Glade, the Bridle Path, Conservatory Garden, and Kerbs Boathouse Plaza, as well as The Ramble, Strawberry Fields, and Shakespeare Garden.
There are also a few off-leash parks for your pup within the 843-acre park. The first one, Leif Ericson Park Off-Leash Area, is a fenced dog park on 67th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue. Other areas that are not fenced include Mineral Springs, Cedar Hill, East Meadows, and Harlem Meer. The park also has 29 dog fountains in the park so your pooch can stay hydrated.
Madison Square Park Dog Run
Also known as Jemmy’s Dog Run, this cute fenced space is named for James Jemmy Madison. It is right next to the Oval Lawn by the West 25th Street entrance. Even during the summer, this place helps your pooches keep their cool with plenty of shade, umbrellas, and the water feature. Pet parents stay cool, too with shaded seating around the perimeter. There are also water fountains for both dogs and their humans.
It is not as large as some of the other dog parks and dog runs in New York, but it has plenty of open space for a game of frisbee or fetch. Or you can just relax and watch your fur puppy run around and play with the other pups. There is a separate space for small fur babies, and it is double-gated for safety. They also have waste bag dispensers, but it never hurts to bring your own, just in case.
Union Square Dog Run
Between Madison Square Garden and Washington Square Park, Union Square Park also has a great dog run. Let your fur buddy run around off the leash with the other pups at this fun pooch park. Open late, you and your canine compadre can stay until 1 AM if you want to. Just be sure to put his leash back on when you leave. The park has lots of sandy space to play and dig, several benches in the shade, and a water fountain.
After your pooch plays, leash him back up and head out to the rest of the park, where you can get some selfies with Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, do some outdoor shopping at the markets, and let the little humans play at Evenly’s Playground. There are loads of shops, restaurants, and bars in the park, many with outdoor space where your dog is welcome to join you. Bring extra baggies.
Washington Square Park Dog Runs
Just south of Madison Square Garden, Washington Square Park is a pup popular place too! In fact, this park has two different dog parks on the western side of the park. The Dog Run for Large Dogs is in the northwestern corner across from the playground and restrooms. Both large and small dogs over 25 pounds are allowed at this dog run. They must be at least six months old, spayed or neutered, and have all their shots.
The Robin Kovary Dog Run for Small Dogs is just to the south. This one is only for dogs 25 pounds and under. It has the same rules about age and health. Both dog parks offer doggie bags for picking up the poop, and there are water fountains for all. No food is allowed, and neither are digging, excessive barking, and mounting. Bring your own bags and water just in case, though.
Chelsea Waterside Dog Run
Located in Chelsea right on the Hudson River, the Chelsea Waterside Dog Park is part of Hudson River Park. On the northwestern end of the park between 11th and 12th Avenues, this dog run was recently enlarged from just 3,500 square feet to 7,400 square feet. There is a separate area for both large and small canine companions to make little pups (and their pup parents) feel safer, as well as a huge tiered seating arrangement for the humans to hang out.
The pooches enjoy the water spray jets for cooling off and the huge hills and boulders to climb on. The park also provides several Mutt Mitt stations for cleaning up after Fido, but it is always good to have your own on you. You never know when they are going to run out because this is a popular spot to hang out with your fur puppies.
Leroy Street Dog Park
About a mile downriver at the end of Pier 40, the Leroy Street Dog Park is the perfect spot for those who like sports. It is near the baseball and softball field, soccer field, and the Hudson.
River Greenway. Many Greenwich Village pup parents frequent this park during the hot New York summers because of their awesome dog fountain and pool. Actually, sometimes there are two or three dogbone-shaped pools for the pooches.
You will not have to worry about the sun either because the seating area has shade trees as well as umbrellas to keep you cool. There is a double-gated area at the entrance/exit for safety, and there is a fence all around. There are no separate spaces here, all dogs play in the same space, which is nice for the big dogs. However, if you have a small dog that is afraid of larger pups, try one of the other Hudson River dog runs.
TriBeCa Dog Run
Head south down the Hudson River, TriBeCa (Pier 26) Dog Run is another great dog park in Hudson River Park. Located at the base of Pier 26, the TriBeCa Dog Run is the newest dog area in the park and has some excellent views of the river and surrounding city. It a big and small dog sections for safety as well as double-gated entry. There is a freshwater spigot all year long and water fountains for dogs from April to November.
The sprinklers keep your canine companion cool while running around with the other fur pups, and there are hills and other climbing obstacles for playing “King of the Hill.” Pet parents enjoy the shaded seating areas and waste stations where they keep baggies for picking up what your pup drops. They are usually full, but you never know. Dog parents usually make a habit of keeping one or two extras just in case they need them.
Pier 84 Dog Run
Just four miles from the TriBeCa Dog Run, Pier 84 Dog Run is conveniently located at the base of Pier 84. Right next to the USS Intrepid, you and your cuddly canine will have the perfect views of the area’s attractions and sensational river views. It is a great place for selfies. The park just reopened this pup place with a new water spray feature at the northern end of the run as well as a doggie water fountain to keep him hydrated.
There are new benches for the humans and several new climbing structures for the fur puppies to climb around on. Located in what is known as Hell’s Kitchen, there are also tons of fantastic eating establishments nearby, including Hook’d on the Hudson, which is right there next to the park. Many of the outdoor eateries allow dogs, but be sure to ask first and always bring extra doggie cleanup bags.
St. Nicholas Dog Park
Between Upper Manhattan and Harlem, St. Nicholas Dog Park is located in St. Nicholas Park.
This lovely dog park in Harlem is fully fenced and includes a separate small dog area. A great place to bring your pet to play off-leash. The dog run opened in 2007 as a space for local fur balls to socialize safely, and it has become a nice community area managed by volunteers. The best part is that it is a public park open to all.
The play area boasts plenty of space for dogs and their humans for running and playing ball. There are lots of benches and doggie bag receptacles. Your fur baby is also welcome in the rest of the park, but you will have to put his leash back on. The large midtown park features barbecue and picnic areas, handball, basketball, pickleball, playgrounds, and a spray area for kids in the summer.
Inwood Hill Park and Dog Run
Between the Hudson River and Spuyten Duyvil Creek, Inwood Hill Park has a dog run called Homer’s Run for your Fido to play off the leash for a while in the safety of a fully fenced area. Run by the Inwoof Community Group, you and your fur pupster are allowed to play here any Inwood Hill Park is open. The park offers lots of running room, shady seating, water fountains, doggie cleanup stations, and a few agility and play obstacles.
After your pooch gets rid of the zoomies, put his leash back on, and you can go out in the rest of Inwood Hill Park to enjoy a barbecue or picnic. You can bring your own food or grab something at one of the food trucks or outdoor eateries nearby. The park also has hiking trails, outdoor fitness equipment, marinas, kayak launches, hockey, soccer, and handball, as well as tennis, basketball, and playgrounds for the kiddos.
Fort Tryon Dog Run (Sir Williams Run)
Right next door to Inwood Hills Park, Fort Tryon Park has one of the biggest dog parks in New York with an acre of space right in the heart of Manhattan. Sir William’s Run is a very pup popular dog park, so do not expect it to be empty – ever. There are separate areas for small and big fur puppies, and both have the same amenities, including water fountains, climbing structures, and plenty of space to run.
If you want to enjoy the other 66 acres of park space in Fort Tryon Park, you will have to attach your pup’s leash back on his collar first. Then, you are free to enjoy the many attractions here. There are eight miles of trails where you can see all sorts of flora and fauna, several gardens, a few playgrounds for the kiddos, an arcade, an outdoor fitness area, and more than a few places to eat.
Carl Schurz Dog Park
Just east of Central Park on the East River, Carl Schurz Park in Yorkville has two off-leash dog runs for your pooch to enjoy. The large dog run is in the southeastern end of the park between the Hoop Garden, Sports Court, and Playground Lawn. Just to the south on the esplanade, you will find the small dog park. They both have plenty of room, but the large dog run is about twice the size of the small dog area, understandably.
The rest of the park also welcomes fur babies as long as you put your pup’s leash back on. There is a lot to do here with the Cat Bird Playground for the little humans, the John Finley Walk and Esplanade for walking along the water’s edge, and the Gracie Mansion. You can also find a splash pad during the summer, historic homes, basketball courts, and roller hockey. Be sure to bring extra doggie bags.
Tompkins Square Dog Run
Between Gramercy Park and Alphabet City in the East Village, Tompkins Square Park is a popular recreational hangout with the very first dog park in New York City. It was voted number two out of dozens of dog runs in the city for its friendly pet parents, three swimming pools, and several easy access points. There is a separate area for small pooches to play so they do not get scared of all the big doggos.
There is lots of space for the humans to relax and talk while their cuddly canine companions play, and the pools are open for splashing from April to November. There are Mutt Mitt dispensers and receptacles in many different areas as well. The rest of the park is leashed dog-friendly, too and offers playgrounds, a splash pad during the summer, handball, fitness equipment, basketball, and food carts, as well as eateries in case you get hungry.
Cooper Dog Park
Across the East River in Brooklyn, Cooper Park has a dog run that will please even the most picky pups as well as their pup parents. It may be small, but it has everything you and your dogster can ask for, including a running room, a dog water fountain, shaded seating, and cleanup stations. They have dog bag dispensers, but bring your own. You should also bring your own water. It is a small park that is heavily used by the locals as well as visitors.
If you are worried about your dog getting dirty, this may not be the place for you. It is all dirt. No grass or other ground cover. It can be really muddy after a storm. After you put your dog’s leash back on, head out to the main park and enjoy what it has to offer. There is a skate park, splash pad, and playgrounds for the kids as well as handball, basketball, tennis, and volleyball. They even have an outdoor fitness station.
De Witt Clinton Dog Park
On the west side of Manhattan, just across from the Hudson River in Hell’s Kitchen, De Witt Clinton Park is just off of Piers 92 and 94. It is not a huge park, but it has a fenced off-leash park for pooches to play. Summer brings bone-shaped swimming pools and water fountains for fun splashing around and lots of shaded seating for the pet parents to enjoy. And you get an awesome view of the river from there as well.
There are small and big dog areas for safety, and little pooches are welcome in the large dog area if they enjoy playing with the big dogs. During the winter, bring water because they shut the water off when it gets cold from November to April. The rest of the park is nice, too, with football and baseball fields, handball and basketball courts, and several playgrounds. Bring your own doggie bags, just in case.
The Final Woof
With so many parks in New York, you could visit a new one each day for almost five years. Almost all of the city, county, and state parks allow dogs on a leash, and many have off-leash dog parks as well. After dark, take your pooch on a ghost tour with New York City Ghosts. Learn all about ghosts, mysteries, and strange happenings in the city on this guided tour. If you have a more refined day in mind, visit the William Secord Gallery on West 15th Street, where leashed dogs are always welcome. No matter where you go with your cuddly canine, be sure to bring plenty of doggie bags and extra water.
