Best of New York: Dog Parks

Dog owners in NYC don’t often have backyards at their disposal, but city dogs can still get a workout at one of the numerous dog parks around New York. In celebration of our upcoming Dog-Friendly Race, here’s a rundown of our favorite puppy parks in NYC.

Tompkins Square Park Dog Run

Located in the heart of the East Village, this was the first dog run ever built in Manhattan; in the 1980s, when the area was a high-crime neighborhood, locals would gather their dogs here informally for a safe place to play. Having been granted official status in 1990, the recently-renovated dog run now boasts swimming pools, water stations, and picnic tables where owners can relax and socialize as well.
E 7th St & Avenue A, Manhattan

Dog Beach at Prospect Park

For a summer treat, head down to Prospect Park, where Dog Beach is open for the season. A mini-vacation to city-bound pups, the Puppy Pools are only open during the summer; special off-leash hours allow the dogs to swim comfortably and escape the heat on the scenic pond’s shady banks. On the first Saturday of every month, snacks (for both dogs and owners) are provided at the park by FIDO, a Brooklyn dog owner association. Come check out what Prospect Park has to offer at the Amazing Dog Friendly Race, where dogs and their owners will embark on a scavenger hunt and obstacle course throughout the park!
95 Prospect Park W, Brooklyn

Hillside Dog Park

To avoid the crowds that gather at many NYC dog parks, Brooklyn locals favor Hillside: there’s ample room in big and little dogs alike in this sizeable dog run. Wood chips, rather than gravel or sand, provide the ground cover, keeping mess to a minimum; you won’t find it in your shoes the next day. And the proximity to Brooklyn Bridge Park and the East River Promenade make for a scenic walk on the way home.
Columbia Heights & Vine St, Brooklyn

Riverside Park

Besides offering a beautiful view of the Hudson River (and being one of our favorite picnic spots in NYC), Riverside Park is also a paradise for dogs. A spot that’s particularly dog-friendly, with long stretches of the park designated off-leash zones all day long, Riverside also provides three designated dog runs (at 72nd, 87th, and 105th Sts), where pups can meet and mingle with other dogs through fountains and over special dust-free ground covering. For the more cautious canines, “small dog” areas are gated off from the rest of the run, so they can play safely.

475 Riverside Drive, Manhattan

McGolrick Park

A neighborhood favorite, this tucked-away Greenpoint haven is an intimate and beautiful alternative to the chaotic dog runs at bigger parks. Although the dog run is small, it is as well-maintained as the manicured lawn surrounding it, and the towering trees provide a welcome shade for pups and humans alike. The locals are a friendly and loyal bunch—the dog park equivalent of “Cheers”—and they’ll all be glad you came.

Nassau Ave & Russell St, Brooklyn