Despite the Big Apple’s reputation as one of the busiest cities overflowing with skyscrapers, in reality, it’s full of greenery, too! Full of dog-friendly parks where people and their furry friends can spend some quality time. As a matter of fact, New York can boast of more than fifty such places located across all five boroughs. What fantastic news for your pooch, who can’t wait to get some time away from the apartment! Regardless of which part of the city you are currently residing in, there’s a chance at least one of the best dog parks in NYC is close to you. Without further ado, let’s dive deeper into what they are and what pleasantries exactly each has to offer!
The Absolute Best Dog Parks in NYC
The importance of walking your dog regularly can’t be stressed enough! However, not all places allow for them, nor are they all suitable for carefree strolls. Essentially, you want your furry buddy roaming around freely without worrying about things like their safety and the safety of others. You want it surrounded by its own kind, playing, and socializing. Dog-friendly parks can provide both you and your pup with all of that. The following are our picks of the best puppy recreational areas in the city of New York:
- Sirius Dog Run
- Prospect Park
- Central Park
- Madison Square Park Dog Run
- Hillside Dog Park
- Fort Greene Park
Bear in mind that you and your bud will have to adhere to a certain set of rules whenever you visit these places. Some of the ground rules that apply to all are:
- Don’t leave the dog’s waste as it is! Instead, pick it up and dispose of it adequately.
- Prevent your pup from attacking other dogs and animals.
- Don’t bring the doggo to the area if you haven’t kept up with its vaccination (you might be required to provide proof).
Of course, some parks may have additional rules, so make sure to follow up on those beforehand.
Caption: Not all parks allow for dogs to be off-leash. Make sure to inform yourself about the rules before visiting. Additionally, you may look at the signs.
Alt-tag: A couple of leashed dogs sitting on the ground.
Sirius Dog Run
385 S End Ave New York, NY 10280
This wonderful place located in Battery Park will energize your canine in ways you can’t dream possible! It was built in tribute to the courageous bomb-detecting yellow labrador, Sirius, who died during the 9/11 attacks. The park is decently sized and consists of two hills between which a crater lies. The crater serves as a pool that occasionally fills up with water and drains by itself.
The park is equipped with benches for the owners to rest on, and there are plenty of trees offering shade during the hot months. Sirius Dog Run is completely paved, which means your furry friend won’t get dirty while fooling around. Additionally, considering the elevation of the area, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the waterfront, as well as looking at the sunset. And guess what? The place is open 24 hours a day, letting you (or rather you doggo) be the only judge of when the time for a stroll is!
Prospect Park
95 Prospect Park West Brooklyn, NY 11215
Despite not actually being a dog run, Prospect Park is still one of the best dog parks in NYC for canines to explore! At least during the off-leash hours. Your pup can get to know other pooches there every day from 5 am to 9 am or from 9 pm to 1 am. The park includes an ever-popular Dog Beach, which is a fantastic place for dogs to cool off on hot days.
Prospect Park is also great in terms of having a wonderful dog-focused community. Each year, you can see them organizing various events meant to bring owners and their furry friends closer together. Everyone can enjoy sharing memorable stories and information while sipping on some coffee and enjoying (dog) treats.
Caption: One of the best dog parks in NYC, Prospect Park, offers canines a chance to enjoy splashing around in the water.
Alt-tag: The sign in one of the best dog parks in NYC, Prospect Park.
Central Park
59th to 110th Street Manhattan, NY 10022
If you’ve recently moved into the city from a place that’s further away and shares absolutely nothing with it, getting used to the NYC lifestyle after a long-distance relocation may seem a bit troubling at first. You and your buddy have probably fallen into a routine that has, all of a sudden, been drastically disrupted. While you are bound to have an easier time adjusting, the same isn’t true of your dog. Canines are dependent on routine to provide them a sense of normalcy. Therefore, it’s vital to start partaking in activities you’ve done in your previous neighborhood sooner rather than later!
One of those activities is probably going outside for a walk. Luckily for you, the world-known Central Park has ample opportunities for that! This gigantic wonder is packed with greenery, people, and animals. Typically, the entire park allows for dogs of all sizes, provided they are leashed. But don’t get disappointed just yet! There are as many as 23 designated spots in the area for your pooch to roam around freely! The leash isn’t a requirement between the hours of 9 pm and 9 am. When thirsty, there are 13 dog fountains your furball can sip from.
Overall, Central Park is a beautiful place for teaching your pup to enjoy walking. It’s also the spot to properly tire out your overly energetic doggy, absolutely free of charge!
Caption: Dogs can spend some quality time with their owners in Central Park and can also enjoy making friends with one another.
Alt-tag: A man sitting on the grass surrounded by a couple of dogs on leash in Central Park.
Madison Square Park Dog Run
Madison Square Park, Broadway New York, NY 10010
On the West side of Manhattan’s Madison Square Park lies Madison Square Park Dog Run, one of the most popular and best dog parks in NYC! Despite being on the smaller side compared to other places on the list, that doesn’t stop it from featuring two separate areas: one for big and the other for tiny dogs. By keeping dogs of different sizes apart, owners can rest assured their pets will stay completely safe out in the open.
The park also offers clean-up bags in case of emergency, and free water, as well. Additionally, Madison Square Park Dog Run is equipped with benches from which people can overlook their fluffy buddies playing.
Hillside Dog Park
Vine Street Brooklyn, NY 11201
Right in the middle of the DUMBO neighborhood is Hillside Park, one of the favorites among humans and canines alike! If you haven’t already figured it out from its name, the park is located on the hill. It’s also separated into two parts, one designed for petite fluffballs and the other for their larger counterparts. The explorable area is quite extensive and stretches over two acres! In addition, the ground is covered by dirt and small pieces of wood, which, for city dogs used to the feel of cold/hot concrete under their paws, may seem like a pleasant surprise.
While waiting for their buds to finish playing, owners can enjoy having a picnic at one of the many picnic tables. There are also various trees providing shade during summer and even a wading pool for a bit of a cool-off. Those who visit this haven of a park report feeling as if they aren’t actually in one of the world’s largest metropolises, but rather, someplace else. Someplace calmer.
Fort Greene Park
100 Washington Park, Brooklyn, NY 11205
This pawsome place is one of the best dog parks in NYC to spend your days! Extending over 30 acres of land, there indeed are plenty of places to have loads of fun with your pooch!
Fort Greene Park features a beautiful Revolutionary Garden, along with a playground and a tennis court. There are also several great open-field spots that can easily function as picnic areas for you and your fluffy friend. Also, in case you forget to bring a clean-up bag, there’s no need to worry. The park has those at the disposal! Water fountains are scattered around the place, too, meaning it’s up to you to bring nothing but a bowl for your buddy to drink from.
Dogs are allowed in all parts of the park, but they must remain leashed. After 9 pm and before 9 am, however, the leash is no longer a necessity, and your pup can romp around whenever it wants to. Of course, except for areas like a playground, courts, and lawns. However, before ditching the leash, keep in mind that Fort Greene Park isn’t fenced in a way to prevent canines from getting out. To ensure it doesn’t get out of your sight, keeping a close look at your pet is advised.
Takeaway
Despite what you may think, the great city of New York isn’t all about the hustle and bustle. In reality, there is a quiet side to it, as well. This site includes some of the best dog parks in NYC and offers owners and pups alike a chance to live a better, healthier life. If you decide to take your furry friend for a visit to one, we promise it will be immensely grateful for giving them a chance to escape that cramped apartment of yours! And who knows? At the end of the day, the both of you may end up leaving the park a few friends richer.
Looking for off the beaten path dog excursions for the pups that like activities beyond the dog run? Consider joining out local NYC Dog Outings group on Facebook and check out these awesome hikes just outside of Manhattan:.
5 Local NYC Dog Hikes no more than 1 hour away on Metro North or Driving
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