Scout's Blog

Urban Dogs: The Tompkins Square Dog Run

New York City Loves Dogs

I spent last weekend in New York City. After walking hundreds of blocks, visiting the best bookstores, wonderful art museums, amazing bakeries and popular music venues, my favorite time was the two hours I spent in a dog park speaking with urban dog owners. 

The moment I entered the small dog section of the dog run and sat down on one of the benches lining the dog run I was greeted by a variety of energetic and very well groomed terriers, dachshunds and french bulldogs. Dog owners were talking around a picnic table while their dogs sprinted from one side of the enclosure to the other.

In New York City there are over 1,700 parks, playgrounds and recreation areas across the five boroughs. Dogs runs exist within 60 of those parks and dogs are allowed in the majority of the park space. Each park has four area categories designated as no dogs allowed, dogs must be on a leash at all times, dog runs or designated off leash areas.

Tompkins Square Dog Run

Cities like New York are making it easy for urban dog owners to provide their pets with enough space to run around and socialize with other dogs.

I spent time in the Tompkins Square Dog Run in East Village. Tompkins Square was the first dog run in NYC when it opened in 1990  and is located on the edge of the public park.

There are two large fenced off sections, one for dogs under 25 pounds and the other for larger dogs, which are covered by decomposed granite sand. The fences around the dog park are lined with benches which are used equally by people as well as dogs. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation provides hoses to wash your dog, three small dog baths, picnic tables and a shovel for easy waste removal. 

Social atmosphere

I was most impressed by the social atmosphere of the dog park. Inside the fences dog owners were watching their dogs make friends while meeting other dog owners. Park visitors were hanging on the fences around the dog run laughing as they watched the dogs play.

Many of the dog owners I spoke with said they look forward to the time they spend in the dog park. Many owners come multiple times each week, usually at the same time, and enjoy seeing the same dogs and people.

And, the dogs looked happy too.

 

If you go take note that the most crowded hours are Peak hours at the run:

Mornings - before 9am
After work - 5-7pm
Weekends (especially in the summer)

 

Urban Dog Ownership: Dog Park Etiquette

Off Leash Dog Run Rules

Increased urban dog ownership in major cities across the country has lead to expanding acreage of designated recreation space for dogs, or dog runs, in public parks.

Designated dog space in public parks are the result of hours of negotiations and partnerships between dog owners, non-dog owners and policy makers.

When enjoying these public spaces leash-free be sure to follow the common rules of etiquette below to ensure the privilege remains.

• To control your Dogs:
• Maintain voice control at all times
• Bring no more than 3 dogs into park at once per person
  
• Owners must hold a leash at all times
• Do not bring dogs in heat or intact males in to off leash area
• Do not bring in any puppies under 4 months old
• Remove any spike or prong collars
• Human Behavior
• Update vaccines and licenses
  
• Always pick up after your dog to avoid the spread of zoological disease and to maintain public support for the off-leash spaces 
• Remove dog from off leash area at first sign of aggression, provoked or otherwise
• Do not bring in treats made for humans or dogs
  
• Fill any holes your dog may have created
• Hold leash in hand at all times
• No wheels ( skateboards, bikes, roller blades ect.)
• No Glass Bottles in designated area 

Contribute financially or with your time to the upkeep of the dog run in your city. The time and money it takes to propose, develop and maintain a public dog space far exceeds the public support available. A dog park in a public space is the result of public and private partnerships and many hard hours of fundraising. For more information on dog parks in your area contact your local Department of Recreation.

Most of all enjoy the space you have to run, play and socialize with your pup in the city.

Also, to see one dog advocacy's efforts to bring a designated dog run to the Boston Commons visit: Boston DOG