New Yorkers love their dogs and within the last five to ten years, there has been a newfound appreciation for dogs expressed by the city itself in building a multitude of dog parks for its residents’ pooches. There has also been funding that has been poured into many of the dog runs in order to continue to build the community and keep the dog parks safe for the animals that play in them.
Many of these parks are conveniently located inside of major parks around the city that many have already been utilizing to walk and exercise their pups. We’ve done some research to provide you with the top New York City dog parks- broken down by borough-that offer a variety of recreation, interaction, convenience and fun for dogs and their owners alike. Note that while dogs that are playing in the dog parks, they are allowed to be unleashed, but must be leashed when taken through other areas in the parks that are highlighted.
For further rules on the dog parks themselves or frequently asked questions, visit the dog park websites directly, which are included with the information below for your convenience.
Manhattan–Â
Madison Square Park Dog Run
23rd Street and Madison Ave
(Dog Park Located at 24th Street)
New York, NY 10010
This pup park was named New York’s best dog park by the Village Voice in 2015 and with good reason. There are two separate areas for both large and small dogs as well as complimentary poopy bags to encourage owners to clean up after their pets. This spacious park has lots of trees, which offer shade and keep you – as well as your pet – nice and cool on the hottest of NYC summer days. The park is also located right outside of the Shake Shack, so you can grab yourself a snack and munch away while you watch your dog frolic with friends. The park itself is comprised of gravel and pebble, instead of grass. This minimizes the need to worry about ticks, as well as not being able to see poopy spots that others may not have cleaned up when their dogs were done doing their business.
In addition, there is art for the dogs to view, that changes by season and the dog park is open early- at 6 am and closes late-at midnight, so you can get that last run in for your dog before bed. Owners and pooches alike are raving. Madison Park also offers a variety of free programs and shows that happen every summer through early fall, so it is a family-friendly environment that has amenities to be enjoyed along with a place for your pet to roam freely.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge Dog Park Run
Plymouth St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(DUMBO Section of Brooklyn)
Opening early at 6 am and closing pretty late-Â at 11 pm is always a perk for a dog owner that wants to get that last run or exercise in for their dog before retiring for the evening. This is a great spot for pups to roam freely with a view that is definitely photo-worthy. Go over to the carousel for more photo ops with your pet.
Bronx
Canine Court at Van Cortlandt Park
West 252nd Street and Broadway
Bronx, NY 10471
Canine Court at Van Cortlandt Park is more than your average dog run. This dog park comes complete with a canine agility playground to exercise your dog’s mind as well as their body. Some of the play equipment for dogs to enjoy include a teeter-totter, hurdles, tunnels, and hanging tires for puppies to play on. There is also a large open field for dogs to roam and play. Van Cortland Park is one of the largest parks in New York City, just behind Central Park, so there are many amenities to enjoy for pets and owners alike.
Staten Island
Silver Lake Dog Park Run
700 Victory Blvd
Staten Island, NY 10301
Silver Lake Dog Park Run offers a nice amount of seating for owners, bowls for water or treats toys, and bags for owners to pick up their dog’s poop. This dog park consists of three separate runs for dogs. There’s a large, medium and small sized run for larger dogs, a smaller area for those pooches that are more sensitive and/or aggressive and one for the smaller dogs to frolic happily.
Queens
Forest Park Dog Run
Park Lane South and 85th St
Woodhaven, NY 11421
Located in the heart of Woodhaven, Queens, lies a grassy knoll in Forest Park that has been turned into a dog park to allow dogs to run up and down, exercising their muscles vigorously in play. This dog runs offers a rather large running space with obstacle courses for the dogs, as well. Complimentary bags for the owners to curb their dogs are also provided. There’s plenty of shade and benches for owners to relax on hot, sunny days.  Recent funding has helped with the maintenance of this park, as well.
2 Point Highlight
New Yorkers love their dogs and within the last five years or so, there has been a newfound appreciation for dogs expressed by the city itself in building a multitude of dog parks around the city for its residents’ pooches.
Many of these parks are conveniently located inside of major parks around the city.
