NYC Public Dog Runs

Manhattanites love their dogs. But when Fido or Rover are tired of the leash, free dog runs are an excellent way to let your best friend have a little fun. The following runs are free in Manhattan:

Public Dog Runs in Manhattan

Battery Park City
River Terrace near Murray Street
Good sized dog run with river views.

Carl Schultz Park Dog Run
East End Avenue between 84th and 89th Street
A good sized run for large dogs and a smaller run for smaller dogs, these runs include benches and running water. Nice river views, next to Gracie Mansion.
Note: On Mondays and Wednesdays the ASPCA uses the runs to give the shelter dogs time to run and play for a few hours.


DeWitt Clinton Park Dog Run
Between 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue at 52nd and 54th Street
This good sized dog run has a new fence and double gate entrance for safety. There is also a swimming pool for dog use during the summer.

Fish Bridge Park Dog Run (South Street Seaport/Brooklyn Bridge)
Dover Street between Pearl Street and Water Street
This public dog run features a wading pool and water hose for your dog.

Fort Tryon Park Dog Run (Washington Heights)
Margaret Corbin Drive at 190th Street and Fort Washington
This large, fenced-in dog run is available 24 hours a day and is across from a dog friendly outdoor café.

Inwood Hill Park Dog Run (Inwood)
Dyckman Street & Payson Avenue at 207th Street
This is a small gravel dog run.

J. Hood Wright Dog Run (Washington Heights)
Fort Washington Avenue and Haven Avenue at West 173rd Street
A good sized, dirt surface dog run.

Kowsky Plaza
Battery Park City near Gateway Plaza
A new dog run featuring a fountain and mounds for dogs to run and jump over.

Madison Square Park Dog Run
Madison Avenue to 5th Avenue between 23rd & 26th Streets
This is a very well maintained and clean dog run.

Marcus Garvey Park
East 120th Street at Madison Avenue
This is a good sized dog run in a really charming park.

Morningside Park Dog Run
Morningside Avenue between 114th Street and 119th Street
A well maintained, hill top, dog run with nice views.

Peter Detmold Park Dog Run
On the West side of the FDR between 49th Street & 51st Street
This is a large dog run with a lot of space, trees and benches. The location however tends to be noisy and rather windy.

Riverside Park Dog Runs
Riverside Drive at West 72nd Street, West 87th Street and West 105th Street
There are actually three dog run area sin Riverside Park. The one located at West 72nd Street this relatively new dog run has a nice river view and benches. The one located at West 87th Street has a separate space for smaller (or shy) dogs and features both a fountain and 100 ft water hose with spray nozzle. The dog run at West 105th Street is considered one of the best in the City and features a crushed gravel surface and a fountain. There is also a pet friendly café across the Promenade.

Robert Moses Park Dog Run
41st Street and 1st Avenue
This small concrete run doesn’t have an amenities and is best used only as a last resort.

Stuyvesant Square
East 15th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue
For a few hours, every day a section of the park is cordoned off by volunteers to allow off leash play.

Theodore Roosevelt Park Dog Run (Teddy’s Run)
Central Park West and West 81st Street
Located at the Museum of Natural History, this dog run is great for shade and benches and has water facets and fountains. There is a separate area for smaller dogs.

Thomas Smith Park Dog Run (Chelsea Waterside Park)
11th Avenue and West 22nd Street
This is arguably New Yorker’s favorite dog run. Special “comfort” asphalt designed to stay cool even on the hottest days; this is an excellent area for your dog with rock formations, a running stream, and a 24 foot “fallen log” bridge. The dog run is cleaned 4 times a day and has benches for owners. The pet friendly Empire Dinner outdoor café is only a block away.
Thomas Jefferson Park
East 112th Street at 1st Avenue
This is a very small dog run.

Tompkins Square Park Dog Run
1st Avenue and Avenue B between 7th Street & 10th Street
This was the first official dog run in New York City and features benches and picnic tables, a separate space for large and small dogs and water.

Union Square Dog Run
Union Square
Recently renovated, this good sized dog run is well maintained and has a water source and benches.

Washington Square Park
West 4th Street and McDougal
Recently renovated, this popular park features separate areas for large and small dogs.

For a complete list of public and private dog runs in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island check out The Nouveau Native No Fee New York With Pets available in fine book stores and online book sellers.

originally posted May 25, 2006