Best Places to Bring Your Dog

Central Park's 843 acres of land are a natural magnet for dog owners and their furry little friends. In fact, thousands of dogs come to the park every day to run around in the open areas and enjoy the trails with their owners.

While the park is dog-friendly, dog owners need to be aware of certain rules about where they can take their dogs, when they need to be leashed, and much more. Let's take a look at a few of the most important rules when it comes to bringing your pooch to Central Park.

Leash Rules and Regulations

WHEN your dog needs to be leashed:  According to park rules, dogs can run off-leash before 9:00 a.m. and from 9:00 p.m to 1:00 a.m. Between those hours, though, your dog needs to be leashed up.

WHERE your dog needs to be leashed:  Arthur Ross Pinetum, Bridle Path, Cedar Hill, Children's Glade (Great Hill area), Conservatory Garden, East Green, Kerbs Boathouse Plaza, The North Woods and The Ravine, The Ramble, Shakespeare Garden, Strawberry Fields, Turtle Pond Lawn, Park Drives (always leash dogs when on or crossing the drives and use marked recreation lane and crosswalks), all areas where signs requiring dogs to be leashed are posted, and All Lawns posted as 9:00 am areas.

Dogs are never allowed at: Elm Islands at the Mall, Great Lawn Oval, Hallet Nature Sanctuary, Lilac Walk, Reservoir running track, Sheep Meadow, and all ballfields and recreational courts, all playgrounds, all sand volleyball courts, all bodies of water, streams, and ornamental fountains. 

Areas That Are Friendly to Dogs

The Central Park Conservancy, the group that manages and maintains Central Park, says there are 23 dog-friendly areas around the park. Some of these areas include Harlem Meer, East Meadow, Cedar Hill and Mineral Springs. You can get a map of these dog-friendly areas from the Conservancy's website.

In addition, there are 29 dog fountains throughout the park. It's important to keep your dog well-hydrated when you visit the part to prevent dehydration. If you are bringing your pet to Central Park, the Conservancy asks that you have your dog drink from the specially designated fountains instead of from regular water fountains.

5 More Important Things to Know

There are a few more special considerations if you are bringing your dog to Central Park:

» If your dog relieves itself within the park, you are requested to pick up after it.

» The Conservancy also requests that you not let your dog urinate on tree pits within the park.

» While dogs are able to play on the lawns, they are not allowed to dig on them.

» Do not let your dogs chase other animals - even wild ones - in the park.

» Be sure to keep your dog on a short leash when crossing drives to avoid any accidents.

If you are bringing your dog to Central Park, you are urged to have fun, but still have respect for other park-goers. That includes keeping your pet from disrupting people or their pets, and making sure your dog does not endanger others or property within Central Park. As long as you stay within the rules, there’s no reason why you and your pet can’t have a great time in the park.