Where Can I Find an Off-Leash Dog Park in New York City?
Best Off-Leash Dog Parks in New York City
Looking for an off-leash dog park in New York City? There are more than 70 in the Big Apple. That’s thousands of acres where your dog can roam off-leash! They are all listed below, by borough. Within each borough category, the parks are listed alphabetically.
The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation says dogs are allowed off-leash from the time the parks open (usually sunrise) until 9:00 AM and from 9:00 PM until the parks close (usually around 1:00 AM.) Unless noted otherwise, you can assume the off-leash areas on the list below are open to dogs during these hours.
Here is an FAQ that will help you with any questions you may have. One interesting thing I learned researching this post, the city credits people walking their dogs during parks’ “off hours” as significant contributors to the reduction of crime in those parks. When there are more people (and dogs) present, there is less crime! If you want some guidance on getting to other parts of the city from where you live to explore these great parks, check out Urban Dog’s guide to dog transportation in New York City.
Manhattan Off-Leash Dog Parks
Manhattan definitely has the fewest off-leash dog parks in New York City. There are only three. That compares pretty unfavorably to the other boroughs, all of which have off-leash dog parks that number in the double digits! But what Manhattan lacks in quantity it makes up in quality. One off-leash area has views of the Hudson River and the Palisades beyond; one is on an island in the East River; and the third is in one of the most famous parks in the world.
Central Park Off-Leash Areas
Central Park is not the oldest park in New York City (that’s Bowling Green), nor is it the biggest (that would be Pelham Bay Park), but it is inarguably the most famous. It is also home to more than 20 dog-friendly areas scattered throughout its 840 acres. There are a number of entrances all around the park.
Click here to see a larger map. And click here to read Urban Dog’s post on great places to take your dog in New York City.
Dyckman Fields Off-Leash Area
Dyckman Fields is located in the far western stretch of Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan’s northern tip. It runs along the Hudson River. The best way to reach Dyckman Fields is via Dyckman Street. Click here to see a larger map.
Randalls Island Park Off-Leash Areas
Randalls Island Park is on an island situated at the far northern end of the East River where Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx all meet. Except for areas where dogs are expressly prohibited via signage, all areas of the park are off-leash during designated hours for the island: before 9:00 AM and after 9:00 PM. It’s accessible by a number of bridges from Manhattan (Ward’s Island bridge at 103rd Street and the bridge at 125th Street); the Bronx (one at 133rd Street and one at 132nd Street); and from Queens (at 27th Street and Hoyt Avenue.) Click here to see a larger map.
Brooklyn Off-Leash Dog Parks
The city’s largest borough is home to 22 parks with off-leash areas. That makes it the borough with the most off-leash dog parks in New York City. They include the very popular Prospect Park; one of the cultural hubs of Brooklyn, Mount Prospect Park; the city’s sixth largest green space, Marine Park; and several waterfront parks like Shore Road Park, Grand Ferry Park, and Kaiser Park.
Asser Levy Park Off-Leash Area
Asser Levy Park is smack dab in between Coney Island Beach and Brighton Beach. You can access it from Surf Avenue, Sea Breeze Avenue, West 5th Street, and Ocean Parkway. Click here to see a larger map.
Breukelen Park Off-Leash Area
Breukelen Park is located in East New York right on Flatlands Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Brooklyn War Memorial Off-Leash Area
The Brooklyn War Memorial off-leash area is located pretty much in the center of Cadman Plaza in downtown Brooklyn. You can access from Cadman Plaza Park, Cadman Plaza West, Cadman Plaza East and Prospect Street. Click here to see a larger map.
Brower Park Off-Leash Area
Brower Park is home to the Brooklyn’s Children’s Museum in Crown Heights. You can access Brower Park from St. Mark’s Avenue and from Park Place between Brooklyn Avenue and Kingston Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Canarsie Park Off-Leash Area
Canarsie Park sits next to Jamaica Bay, in the southern part of Canarsie.. It is bounded by Seaview Avenue and Shore Parkway. It’s within walking distance of the Canarsie Pier. Click here to see a larger map.
Coffey Park Off-Leash Area
Coffey Park is in the center of Red Hook. It is bounded by King Street, Richards Street, Verona Street, and Dwight Street. Click here to see a larger map.
Dyker Beach Park Off-Leash Area
Dyker Beach Park is just south of the Dyker Beach Golf Course (in Dyker Heights, naturally!) The best way to get there is via Cropsey Avenue, Bay 8th Street, or Poly Place. Click here to see a larger map.
Fort Greene Park Off-Leash Area
Fort Greene Park is in the center of the Brooklyn neighborhood of the same name. It is bounded by Myrtle Avenue, Washington Park, and DeKalb Avenue. Click here to see a larger map
Friends Field Park Off-Leash Area
Friends Field Park is adjacent to Washington Cemetery in Mapleton. You can access via Avenue L. Click here to see a larger map.
Fulton Park Off-Leash Area
Fulton Park is on Fulton Street in Stuyvesant Heights. Click here to see a larger map.
Grand Ferry Park Off-Leash Area
Grand Ferry Park is on the waterfront in Williamsburg, right at the end of Grand Street. Click here to see a larger map.
John Paul Jones Park Off-Leash Area
John Paul Jones Park is at the base of the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge. You can access it via 4th Avenue or 101st Street. Click here to see a larger map.
Kaiser Park Off-Leash Area
Kaiser Park is in Seagate, right on the mouth of Coney Island Creek. You access it via Neptune Avenue and Bayview Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Leif Ericson Park Off-Leash Area
Leif Ericson Park is in the northern end of Bay Ridge, right where the Belt Parkway splits off from the Gowanus Expressway. You can access from 67th Street between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Lincoln Terrace Park Off-Leash Area
Lincoln Terrace Park is in the western part of Crown Heights. The address is Eastern Parkway between Buffalo and Rochester avenues. Click here to see a larger map.
Macri Square Park Off Leash Area
Macri Square Park is in Williamsburg underneath the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. It’s at the western end of Metropolitan Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Marine Park Off-Leash Areas
Marine Park is located on Jamaica Bay, east of Sheepshead Bay. It’s nestled between Gerritsen Beach and Mill Basin. This is the largest park in Brooklyn and the sixth largest in the city at nearly 800 acres. The best way to get there is via Avenue U. Click here to see a larger map.
McKinley Park Off-Leash Area
McKinley Park is adjacent to the Gowanus Expressway in the northern part of Dyker Heights. You access it from Fort Hamilton Parkway or 7th Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Mount Prospect Park Off-Leash Areas
When I was researching this I didn’t realize Mount Prospect Park was separate from Prospect Park. This beautiful park is home to the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. You can access the park from Eastern Parkway and Mary Pickett Avenue, and from Flatbush Avenue (which separates it from Prospect Park.) Click here to see a larger map.
Prospect Park Off-Leash Areas
Possibly the best known green space in Brooklyn, Prospect Park is also the borough’s second largest at 526 acres. It was designed by the same men as Central Park in Manhattan. It is chock-a-block full of activities and facilities, including the Dog Beach in the Long Meadow. It is bounded by Prospect Park West, Prospect Park Southwest, Flatbush Avenue, and Parkside Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Shore Road Park Off-Leash Area
Shore Road Park runs along the Narrows (the body of water between Brooklyn and Staten Island) on the western part of Bay ridge. It is accessed by, unsurprisingly, Shore Road. Click here to see a larger map.
Sunset Park Off-Leash Area
Sunset Park is in the neighborhood of the same name. It’s in between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Bronx Off Leash Dog Parks
The largest of all the off-leash dog parks in New York City can be found in the Bronx. The borough is home to the 2,765 acre Pelham Bay Park. That’s more than three times the size of Central Park. It’s also home to 18 more parks with off-leash areas, including Bronx Park, the home of the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Gardens.
Bronx Park Off-Leash Areas
Bronx Park is famously home to the New York Botanical Gardens and the Bronx Zoo. Like Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn, it is home to a number of activities and facilities for New Yorkers to enjoy. At 718 acres it’s the seventh largest park in the city. The easiest way to access it is from Southern Boulevard or Bronx Park South. Click here to see a larger map.
Claremont Park Off-Leash Area
Claremont Park is located in Claremont Village. It is bounded by Mount Eden Parkway, Teller Avenue, and Clay Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Crotona Park Off-Leash Area
Crotona Park is a larger park in Charlotte Gardens. Crotona Avenue runs through the center of the park. Click here to see a larger map.
Devoe Park Off-Leash Area
Devoe Park is located in University Heights east of the Major Deegan. It is bounded by West Fordham Road, Father Zeiser Place, and University Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Henry Hudson Park Off-Leash Area
Henry Hudson Park is located in Sputyen Duvil (I love that name!) The address is Kappock Street and Independence Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Hylan Park Off-Leash Area
Hylan Park is a little park adjacent to Crotona Park in Charlotte Gardens. It’s located at Southern Boulevard and East 175th Street. Click here to see a larger map.
Joseph Rodham Drake Park Off-Leash Area
Joseph Rodham Drake Park is in Hunt’s Point at the intersection of Hunt’s Point Avenue and oak Point Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Mullaly Park Off-Leash Area
Mullaly Park has a very famous neighbor: Yankee Stadium! You can access the park via Jerome Avenue and River Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Pelham Bay Park Off-Leash Areas
Pelham Bay Park is the colossus of New York City parks: 2,765 acres! The neighborhood of Pelham is located on its north side; Baychester is found to the east; and Middletown Pelham Bay and Country Club are on its south. Shore Road, Pelham Bridge Road, and the Bronx Pelham Parkway are the main roads that run through the giant park. Click here to see a larger map. Here’s a link to the areas in the park where dogs must be on-leash at all times or where dogs are not permitted.
Richman (Echo) Park Off-Leash Area
Richman (Echo) Park is in Mount Hope just west of Webster Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Riverdale Park Off-Leash Area
Riverdale Park is a nice long stretch of parkland that runs along the Hudson River. You can access the park from Palisade Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Siren Slope Park Off-Leash Area
Siren Slope Park is a tiny little park just under the Major Deegan, west of the Jerome Park Reservoir. You can access it from Bailey Avenue and West 230 Street. Click here to see a larger map.
Spuyten Duyvil Park Off-Leash Area
Spuyten Duyvil Park is another waterfront park. It sits on Spuyten Duyvil Creek across from the northern tip of Manhattan. You can get there via Palisade Avenue or Independence Avenue. They lead you to Edsall Avenue, which circles the park. Click here to see a larger map.
St. James Park Off-Leash Area
St. James Park is located in the northern part of Fordham Heights. Its address is 92nd Street and Jerome Avenue Click here to see a larger map. Please note the off-leash policy only applies between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM in St. James Park.
Tremont Park Off-Leash Area
Tremont Park is located in the neighborhood of the same name. It is bounded by East Tremont Avenue, Third Avenue, and Arthur Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
University Woods Park Off-Leash Area
Another park near the Major Deegan, University Woods Park is located in University Heights. You can access it via Cedar Avenue and Sedgwick Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Wallenberg Forest Park Off-Leash Area
Wallenberg Forest Park is in Spuyten Duyvil. You can reach it via Palisade Avenue, Douglas Avenue, and West 235 Street. Click here to see a larger map.
Queens Off-Leash Dog Parks
Queens is home to more than a dozen off-leash areas. The most famous of which is Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It’s the fifth largest park in the city at nearly 900 acres. It’s also home to some of the most recognizable sites in the Big Apple.
Alley Pond Park Off-Leash Area
Alley Pond Park is located in between the neighborhoods of Bayside and Little Neck, just south of Little Neck Bay. It’s the city’s ninth largest park with 636 acres. It’s bounded by the Douglaston Parkway on the east and a number of surface roads on the west. Click here to see a larger map.
Astoria Park Off-Leash Area
Astoria Park is a large park on the East River in Astoria. 19th Street runs along its eastern border and Shore Boulevard along its western edge. There’s a bridge from the park that will take you to Randall’s Island. There’s an off-leash area there too (see above in the Manhattan section.) Click here to see a larger map.
Baisley Pond Park Off-Leash Area
Baisley Pond Park is a large park in South Jamaica. Rockaway Boulevard bisects the park. A number of roads provide access to along all its borders. Click here to see a larger map.
Bayswater Park Off-Leash Area
Bayswater Park is in the neighborhood of the same name. You can access it via Beach Channel Drive, Bay 32nd Street, and Beach 35th Street. Click here to see a larger map.
Crocheron Park Off-Leash Area
Crocheron Park is on Little Neck Bay in Bay Terrace. It’s in between 35th Avenue, 33rd Avenue, and 33rd Road. Click here to see a larger map.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park Off-Leash Areas
Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the most famous green space in Queens. Home to the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center, New York Hall of Science, the Aquatic Center, the Queens Zoo, and what remains of the 1964 World’s Fair. It’s also within walking distance of Citi Field. Click here to see a larger map.
Juniper Valley Park Off-Leash Area
Juniper Valley Park is in the neighborhood of Middle Village. It’s bounded by Juniper Boulevard North and South. Click here to see a larger map.
LaGuardia Landing Lights Off-Leash Area
LaGuardia Landing Lights is located southwest of one of LaGuardia’s runways. It’s one of the prime spots to watch planes land at the airport. Jets fly directly overhead. It’s in between 79th and 80th Streets on the west and east, and 25th Avenue on the south. Click here to see a larger map.
MacNeil Park Off-Leash Area
MacNeil Park is on the East River in College Point. You access it via Poppenhusen Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Queensbridge Park Off-Leash Area
Queensbridge Park is at the base of the Queensboro Bridge in Hunter’s Point. (Yes, I know it’s officially named for Ed Koch!) You access it from Vernon Boulevard. Click here to see a larger map.
Rainey Park Off-Leash Area
Rainey Park is in Astoria near the Noguchi Museum and the Socrates Sculpture Park. It’s right on the East River It’s in between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Ralph DeMarco Park Off-Leash Area
Ralph DeMarco Park is on the East River in the Ditmars Steinway neighborhood. It’s adjacent to Astoria Park (see above) and is also accessed by Shore Road. Click here to see a larger map.
Rockaway Community Park Off-Leash Area
Rockaway Community Park is on Jamaica Bay in the Edgemere neighborhood in the Rockaways. Take Beach Channel drive to any of the ide roads that lead to the park. Click here to see a larger map.
Springfield Park Off-Leash Area
Springfield Park is in Springfield Gardens near JFK International Airport. The main road leading to it is Springfield Boulevard. Click here to see a larger map.
Yellowstone Park Off-Leash Area
Yellowstone Park is in Forest Hills. It’s named for nearby Yellowstone Boulevard. Click here to see a larger map.
Staten Island Off-Leash Dog Parks
Staten Island is the home to the Greenbelt which consists of more than 2,800 acres of public and private land in central Staten Island. It includes natural areas and traditional parks, some of which have off-leash areas. In all, there are eleven off-leash areas in public parks on Staten Island.
Allison Pond Park Off-Leash Area
Allison Pond Park is located on the northern side of Staten Island in Randall Manor. The off-leash area is in the field at the end of the trail bordered by Prospect Avenue, Sailors Snug Harbor Cemetery, and the pond. Click here to see a larger map.
Amundsen Trail Off-Leash Area
Amundsen Trail is a trail that runs through the Lighthouse Hill and Richmond neighborhoods. It’s part of the Staten Island Greenbelt. Click here to see a larger map.
Arthur Von Briesen Park Off-Leash Area
Arthur Von Briesen Park sits on the Narrows a few block away from the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge. You can reach the park via Bay Street. Click here to see a larger map.
Clove Lakes Park Off-Leash Areas
There are two off-leash areas in Sunset Clove Lakes Park. It’s a large park between West Brighton and Castleton Corners. One area is in the open field above picnic area near Royal Oak Road and Rice Avenue. The other one is in the lawn area off Brookside Avenue between Alpine Court and Kingsley Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Clove’s Tail Park Off-Leash Area
Clove’s Tail Park is a small park just south of Clove Lakes Park. You can reach it via Victory Boulevard. Click here to see a larger map.
Cozzens Woods Off-Leash Area
Cozzens Woods, the original name of Long Pond Park, is in the Tottenville neighborhood of Staten Island. You reach it via Page Avenue between Hylan Boulevard and Amboy Road. Click here to see a larger map.
Crescent Beach Park Off-Leash Area
Crescent Beach Park is set on the mouth of Great Kills Harbor. You reach it via Tennyson Drive. Click here to see a larger map.
Evergreen Park Off-Leash Area
Evergreen Park, or Seidenberg Park, is named for Evergeen Street. It’s in between Great Kills and bay Terrace. Click here to see a larger map.
Father Macris Park Off-Leash Area
Father Macris Park sits below the Staten Island Expressway in Bull’s Head. You can reach it via Lamberts Lane or Fahy Avenue. Click here to see a larger map.
Lemon Creek Park Off-Leash Area
Lemon Creek Park is a large park on Seguine Point in Prince’s Bay. Hylan Boulevard leads right to it. Click here to see a larger map.
South Beach Park Off-Leash Area
The sand areas of South Beach Park are open to dogs after Labor Day and before Memorial Day. Father Capodanno Boulevard runs along the beach. Click here to see a larger map.
Willowbrook Park Off-Leash Area
Willowbrook Park is a large park sitting right next to CUNY College of Staten Island. Richmond Avenue runs right through it. Click here to see a larger map.