Hello AT,
I currently live in Brooklyn and am having to move into the City for work. I have a large dog and although finding apartments that take dogs has not been a problem, I cannot figure out where in Central Park I can let my dog run off-leash (on the UES or the UWS of the park).
In Prospect Park, in Brooklyn, we have off-leash hours before 9am and after 9pm. I cannot seem to find a map of any sort that tells me what areas of Central Park allow dogs to be off leash before 9am and after 9pm. All the printed literature regarding dog policies for Central Park just gives the hours, not the designated areas.
Any information is most appreciated.
Thank you, in advance. RJD
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.)
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AT reply is incorrect: in any city parks WHICH DO NOT HAVE DOG RUNS, dogs may be off-leash between 9pm and 9am
according to centralpark.com:
http://centralpark.com/page.php?pid=93
State law does not permit your dog to be in any public place without a leash (no more than six feet long). Leash laws are strictly enforced from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
PS---also note that there's a downloadable Central Park dog rule guide at the bottom of that link...
Just to forewarn dog owners excited about Bud's response--"any city parks WHICH DO NOT HAVE DOG RUNS, dogs may be off-leash between 9pm and 9am"--DOUBLE-CHECK this information with your local officials (police, parks dept, etc.) This is NOT a written city law. Rules and interpretations differ, and 'officials' are often ignorant of them--they will NOT hesitate to slap you with a summons!
Section 161.05 of the New York City Health Code states that your dog has to be kept on a six-foot long leash AT ALL TIMES when its in a public place:
A person who owns, possesses or controls a dog shall not permit it to be in any public place or in any open or unfenced area abutting on a public place unless the dog is effectively restrained by a leash or chain not more than six feet long.
This includes parks, fenced-in or not!
I just don't want to see anyone get in trouble unnecessarily (as I have) because the police generally don't buy pleas of ignorance. And if anyone can show me information to the contrary, please do--my dog and I have been looking for a way around this bureaucracy!
Bud's answer is 100% INCORRECT. The "before 9 after 9" rule is only a courtesy that CP extends to it's canine visitors, it does not override the City law and they have been known to ticket out of the blue.
That being said (again), it might be a good idea to follow some basic rules to be courteous to people and other dog owners:
1) Don't "roam" with your dog off-leash and let it out of your sight. Stick to the regular "play" areas. Too many times I have had to physically deter (I'm not proud of it) "friendly" roaming dogs from getting too close to my on-leash "less than friendly" dog. The owners never seem to be in sight, and twenty seconds is a long time in a dog fight.
2) Not everybody likes dogs, whether or not you think your dog is harmless or cute.
3) Respect other's play areas if necessary. Don't take it personally. Dogs are like people, not everyone gets along It's a big park!
4) And lastly, if you can't recall your dog (come when called), don't let it off leash at all.
-Bobby
I take my dog into the Park at various times of day or night. I know there is an after-work crowd that goes to the fenced in area right inside of 79th Street. I let my dog off-leash there and only once have been told to leash him up. In the mornings (before 9AM), there are lots of people on the hill just west of that field with off leash-dogs.
There is also a group of SMALL dog owners that meet in the early evenings right by the lawn above the Wollman Rink (for you public access fans...Robin Byrd is always there with her adorable Yorkie named Ohm!!).
Also, there are two area right off the Great Lawn that are also somewhat fenced in and you can let your dog off-leash there.
Once you establish a routine of what time you go and which part of the park is most convenient, you will start to see the groups of dog owners that mingle at the time.
But I whole-heartedly agree with the poster above that says to be extremely considerate and wary when you have your dog off-leash!! I try my best to keep my dog as out of the way of other people as possible.
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