Central Park is a great place to enjoy with friends, especially ones with four legs and wagging tails.  There are just a few guidelines to follow when taking your canine comrades to the park that will help insure that you, them, and everyone else, enjoys the visit.

Off-Leash Rules As Applied to Central Park

John B. Moore Doggies in Central Park.

Rules are official as of  May 10, 2007.

• Except as permitted by the Parks Commissioner, all dogs in city parks must be restrained by a leash no longer than six feet in length.

• Unless otherwise prohibited, dogs may be unleashed within designated parks or portions of a park between the hours of 9 pm and 9 am.

• All dogs must wear a license tag and proof of vaccination against rabies.

• No dogs (leashed or unleashed) are permitted in any playground; zoo; swimming pool; fountain; ballfield; or basketball, handball, or tennis court.

• Although bridle paths in most city parks are off-limits to all dogs any time, leashed dogs are permitted on the Central Park bridle path.

• All dogs (leashed or unleashed) must be kept under the control of their owner and shall not harass or harm any park patron, animal (including other dogs), or vegetation.

• Any unleashed dog must be leashed immediately upon request by any police officer, park ranger, PEP officer, or official of the Parks or Health departments.