The Ultimate Dog-Friendly Guide to Prospect Park

Prospect Park is Brooklyn’s most iconic park, and it’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re a dog owner! Prospect Park opened in 1867, and is the second largest public park in Brooklyn, behind Marine Park, with an area of 526 acres. It features the 90-acre Long Meadow, a picnic house, zoo, boathouse, Brooklyn’s only lake, and a bandshell.

Prospect Park is also home to Brooklyn’s only forest, located right in the center of the park, known as the Ravine. There’s even a Quaker cemetery in the park! With so much to explore, there’s no question that this crown jewel is a great place to visit with a dog. Read on to learn all about how to enjoy Prospect Park with your dog.

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Prospect Park Dog Rules

Off-leash hours are permitted from 6 am–9 am and 9 pm – 1 am at the Long Meadow (except ballfields), Nethermead and Peninsula Meadow (except woodlands). Dogs must be leashed at all other times and in all other areas of the Park.
To protect wildlife habitats, dogs must always be leashed and stay on paths in wooded areas.
At Dog Beach, dogs must be leashed except during off-leash hours. Caution: the water becomes deep very fast.
Dogs are never allowed in playgrounds, on bridle paths or on ballfields or other designated sports areas.
Dogs are allowed on paths surrounding the ballfields and at the Parade Ground, but must be leashed at all times.
Owners must always be in control of their dogs and leashes must be six feet long or shorter.
Please dispose of dog waste properly.
Do not allow dogs to dig; holes create trip hazards.

Off leash hours in Prospect Park

Off-leash hours are permitted from 5 am – 9 am and 9 pm – 1 am.

Where are dogs allowed during off leash hours in Prospect Park?

Dogs are allowed at the Long Meadow (except ballfields), Nethermead and Peninsula Meadow (not woodlands). Dogs must be leashed at all other times.

Dog leash areas of Prospect Park

To protect wildlife habitats, dogs must always be leashed and stay on paths in wooded areas.

Where are dogs NOT allowed in Prospect Park?

Dogs are never allowed—even on leash—in playgrounds, on bridle paths or on ballfields or other designated sports areas.

Does Prospect Park have a dog park?

Yes! Prospect Park has its very own dog park, called the Kensington Dog Run. Located in the Parade Ground along Coney Island Avenue, the dog run includes 7,000 square feet of fenced-in space, separated areas for large dogs and small dogs, and features innovative canine-friendly turf, a first for a New York City park.

The Kensington Dog Run also boasts benches made of reclaimed wood from downed park trees, water fountains, shrubs, and waste receptacles.

It’s a gorgeous, well-designed space, and certainly worth a visit if you’re in the area!

Are there dog events and meet ups in Prospect Park?

Yes! You can connect with other Prospect Park dog owners through FIDO, New York City’s largest off-leash community. They host events throughout the year, like Coffee Bark, a monthly get together for dog owners to meet, socialize, and exchange information while enjoying coffee, pastries, and dog biscuits.

There are also plenty of events and dog meet ups that happen at the Kensington Dog Run. Check our dog-friendly event guide for up to date details.

The Best Dog-Friendly Things to do in Prospect Park

1. Dog Beach

Located at Long Meadow in Prospect Park, Dog Beach is the perfect swimming hole for our four-legged friends. It was recently renovated in 2016 with new fencing and rocks brought in from upstate New York.

Dogs are able to swim, run, and play freely during off leash hours in the dog days of summer. Be careful because the water gets deep!

2. Kensington Dog Run

The community really came together to make a dog run in Prospect Park happen! In 2020, Kensington Dog Run officially opened at the Prospect Park Parade Ground.

This state of the art dog run has two sections, canine-friendly turf, and plenty of benches for dog owners to lounge while their fur babies play. It’s a beautiful space for both dogs and humans to enjoy.

It’s one of my favorite dog parks in all of New York City.

3. Coffee Bark

Prospect Park has its very own dog community called FIDO (Fellowship For The Interests of Dogs & Their Owners). FIDO’s aim is to make sure that Prospect Park remains a safe, healthy place for dogs. They do a lot within the community, including sponsoring lectures, hosting events, and donating funds to the Prospect Park Alliance for new trashcans and containers.

On the first Saturday of every month, they host Coffee Bark over by the Picnic House. They provide coffee, pastries, dog biscuits as well as relevant information pertaining to off-leash activities and issues, and all for free! It’s a great way for Prospect Park dog owners to connect with each other and for dogs to socialize.

4. Greenmarket

Prospect Park is home to Brooklyn’s flagship Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza, as well as a market at Bartel-Pritchard Square. The markets operates year round and feature regional farmers specializing in organic, unprocessed and free-range products. It’s a great place to pick up fresh, local goods to either enjoy in the park or at home.

Grand Army Plaza
Saturdays, Year Round, 8 am–4 pm

Bartel-Pritchard Square
Wednesdays, Year Round, 8 am–3 pm Sundays, May 3–December 20, 9 am–3pm

5. Smorgasbord

Smorgasburg is considered the “Woodstock of Eating.” You might even have seen their food purveyors featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things or in supermarkets! This food festival offers a range of cuisines from local food and beverage vendors. It’s a great place to grab a bite – they have everything from full meals to a snacks, beverages and desserts.

You can visit Smorgasburg every Sunday on Prospect Park’s Breeze Hill, near the Lincoln Road entrance, through the end of October.

6. Endale Arch

Endale Arch originally opened to the public in the late 1860s. It was designed to blend into the landscape and offer pedestrians a safe passage under the Park Drive.

Over the years, the arch fell into disrepair, and was covered in graffiti, water damaged and rotted wood, and invasive plants.

A restoration kicked off in 2015, with beautiful alternating wood panels and new LED lighting. The newly restored arch opened up to park goers a few years later and is definitely worth a look!

Have you ever visited Prospect Park with your dog? Let us know in the comments.

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