Dog runs in NYC: where to find all 95 and the rules that apply
New York City has 95 dog runs listed by NYC Parks, 41 of them in Manhattan. Here's where they are by borough and what to know before you go.
New York City has 95 dog runs in its parks, according to the NYC Parks list published on NYC Open Data. They are spread unevenly across the five boroughs, and some neighborhoods have several within a few blocks while others have few or none. This guide shows where the runs are, how the list is organized and which rules apply before you unclip the leash.
How many dog runs NYC has in each borough
Manhattan has far more than any other borough. The NYC Parks data counts:
- Manhattan: 41 dog runs
- Brooklyn: 20
- Bronx: 15
- Queens: 14
- Staten Island: five
All 95 are classified as a “Dog Run,” the dataset’s term for a fenced run. The same dataset can also list off-leash areas inside a park as a separate type, but none appear in the current count. Every run in the sample reviewed for this guide is listed as active.
Dog runs in Manhattan by neighborhood
Manhattan’s 41 runs cluster in a few areas. The Upper West Side ZIP code 10024 alone has five: the 105th Street Dog Run, the 87th Street Dog Run, Bull Moose Dog Run, and the upper and lower levels of the 72nd Street Dog Run. The 66th Street Dog Run sits nearby in 10069.
On the East Side, Carl Schurz Park in 10028 has two runs, one for large dogs and one for small dogs. Farther south are the Bellevue South Park Dog Run in 10016, the Madison Square Park Dog Run in 10010 and the Stuyvesant Square Dog Park in 10003. In the East Village, the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run serves 10009, and the Lower East Side ZIP code 10002 has the Coleman Oval Park Dog Run and the Corlears Hook Park Dog Run.
On the West Side, DeWitt Clinton Park in 10019 splits its space into a large dog run and a small dog run.
Uptown has more options than many people expect. Harlem has the Marcus Garvey Park Dog Run in 10027, and East Harlem has the Thomas Jefferson Park Dog Run in 10029. In 10031 there are the St. Nicholas Park Dog Run and the 142nd Street Dog Run. Northern Manhattan adds Rocky’s Dog Run in 10032, Homer’s Dog Run in 10034, and three runs in 10040: Dyckman Rest, Highbridge Park and Sir William’s.
Dog runs in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island
Brooklyn’s 20 runs include the Marcy Green South Dog Run in Williamsburg’s 11211 ZIP code and the Manhattan Beach Dog Run on Oriental Boulevard in 11235.
Queens has 14 runs. Two examples are the Noonan Playground Dog Run in 11104 and the Little Bay Park Dog Run in 11360.
The Bronx has 15, including the Starlight Park Dog Run, which covers the 10459 and 10472 ZIP codes. Staten Island has five, the fewest of any borough, so owners there may need to travel farther to reach a fenced run.
Large and small dog runs: which one to use
A few parks divide their space by dog size. Carl Schurz Park and DeWitt Clinton Park each list a separate large dog run and small dog run, and the 72nd Street Dog Run has an upper level and a lower level listed as two entries. If you have a small dog, a park with a dedicated small run can be the easier choice, especially at busy times.
Because the city counts each section as its own run, the total of 95 includes these split sites. The number of parks with a dog run is somewhat lower than 95.
Dog run rules in NYC: license and off-leash hours
Two rules matter before your first visit.
Your dog needs a city license. Every dog in New York City must be licensed, and that applies whether or not you use a dog run.
Off-leash hours come from NYC Parks rules. Parks rules set when dogs may be off leash in city parks. The dog run list does not include opening hours or surface type, so this guide doesn’t state them. Read the signs posted at each run’s gate for its hours and any site-specific rules before you let your dog loose.
How to find the dog run closest to you
The fastest way to narrow the list is by ZIP code or community board, both of which NYC Parks records for every run. Some runs sit on a ZIP code boundary. Starlight Park’s run in the Bronx, for example, is listed under two ZIP codes. If you are exploring a neighborhood you don’t know yet, the How2NewYork neighborhood guides can help you get your bearings.
If you plan to travel with your dog, check service status on the NYC transit page before you leave, since a delay can turn a short trip into a long one.
Before you go: a quick checklist
- Make sure your dog’s city license is current.
- Pick a large or small run if the park offers both.
- Read the posted hours and rules at the gate.
- Keep your dog leashed until you are inside the fenced run.
- Bring water and bags, and clean up before you leave.
With 95 fenced runs across the city, most New Yorkers can find one within walking distance, especially in Manhattan. Owners in Staten Island and in parts of Queens and the Bronx should plan ahead.
Sources
Every figure above comes from these official sources, checked on the day this was written.
Quick answers
How many dog runs are there in NYC?
NYC Parks lists 95 dog runs: 41 in Manhattan, 20 in Brooklyn, 15 in the Bronx, 14 in Queens and five on Staten Island.
Which Manhattan parks have separate runs for small dogs?
Carl Schurz Park and DeWitt Clinton Park each have a separate large dog run and small dog run.
Does my dog need a license to use a NYC dog run?
Yes. Every dog in New York City needs a city license, whether or not it uses a dog run.
What are the hours at NYC dog runs?
The NYC Parks dog run list does not include hours. NYC Parks rules set off-leash hours, so check the signs posted at each run.
