Bringing Your Dog to Central Park

If your dog can handle crowds and noise, New York is a great destination for pet lovers. No trip to the Big Apple is complete without a stroll through Central Park, so follow these tips for bringing Fido along.

Dog-Friendly Areas

There are 23 dog-friendly areas where owners often gather during off-leash hours. There are also 21 dog fountains for keeping your pet hydrated (drinking from normal fountains is prohibited). Owners are responsible for picking up after their dogs and Central Park Conservancy doesn’t allow them to urinate on trees. Dogs are also prohibited from digging in the lawn and chasing any kind of animal.

Leash Hours

Central Park has off-leash hours before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m., but keep in mind there are certain areas where dogs will always need to be leashed: Arthur Ross Pinetum, Bridle Path, Cedar Hill, Conservatory Gardens, Kerbs, Boathouse Plaza, Shakespeare Garden, Strawberry Fields, Turtle Pond Lawn and Woodlands. There are also some areas where dogs are always prohibited: East Green, Elm Islands, Great Hill Glade, Lilac Walk, Reservoir Running Track, Sand Volleyball Court, Sheep Meadow and any ballfields, fountains or bodies of water.

Events and Runs

A program called Central Park Paws often holds events for New York’s dog community. Bagel Barks is for owners who want to help keep the park beautiful while Hound Hikes are dog-walking tours. My Dog Loves Central Park is their annual fair with competitions, training activities and wellbeing programs like micro-chipping drives.