A Dog’s Guide to Central Park

Central Park is a haven for urban pups. There are just a few rules to help everyone—humans and animals alike—enjoy their time and stay safe.

These guidelines ensure fun for your dog while protecting wildlife and essential ecosystems, including the Park’s garden beds, tree root zones, and lawns.

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DOG RULES

City-wide dog rules and regulations, outlined by NYC Parks.

• Dogs must always be under the control of their owner.
• Dogs must have a NYC license tag and valid rabies tag.
• Dogs must not dig, chase, or harm wildlife; damage Park property; or interfere with other Park users.
• Always clean up after your dog, including dog hair that you brush off in the Park.
• Please respect signs, fences, and red flags that may indicate temporary closure due to restoration, maintenance, or weather conditions.

Please respect all other human and animal Park visitors and remember to pick up after your dog, taking your baggie to the nearest trash bin. Some areas of the Park are carry-in and carry-out, so if there are no trash bins nearby when you are walking your dog, please carry your baggie to the next trash can. Please do not leave baggies in landscapes, on benches, or hanging from fences or branches.

ON-LEASH HOURS

Dogs must be leashed in Central Park from 9:00 am–9:00 pm daily.

OFF-LEASH HOURS

Off-leash hours in Central Park are from:

• 6:00 am–9:00 am
• 9:00 pm–1:00 am

Dogs are welcome across most of the Park’s 843 acres. Some areas require leashes at all times, and others are fully off-limits.

OFF-LEASH LOCAL FAVORITES

Off-leash hours in Central Park run 6:00–9:00 am and 9:00 pm–1:00 am. Whether you're a dawn regular or a night owl, these hours have a way of turning Central Park into your backyard—and fellow dog lovers into neighbors. Here are a few local favorites to get you started:

• Cedar Hill
• Pilgrim Hill
• Great Hill
• Mineral Springs
• West 86th–90th Street Landscape

ALWAYS ON-LEASH LOCATIONS

Dogs must always be leashed in the following locations, even during off-leash hours.

• Arthur Ross Pinetum West (Mid-Park between 84th and 86th Streets)
• Bridle Path (Loop surrounding the Reservoir)
• Peter Jay Sharp Children’s Glade (West Side between 103rd and 106th Streets)
• Conservatory Garden (East Side between 104th and 106th Streets)
• Kerbs Boathouse Plaza (East Side at 74th Street)
• North Woods (Mid-Park between 101st and 110th Streets)
• The Ramble (Mid-Park between 73rd and 79th Street)
• Shakespeare Garden (West Side at 79th Street)
• Strawberry Fields (West Side between 71st and 74th Street)
• Central Park Drives
• Other areas with posted signs requiring dogs to be leashed