Dog off leash time official at some parks

It is official. New York City’s dogs finally got their day. Half the day, that is.
As of last Thursday, May 10 rules concerning the long-standing “courtesy hours” policy that allowed owners to unleash their dogs in city parks at certain times became official.
Canine companions large and small will be free to run off-leash in certain designated areas in certain parks from the time the park opens until 9 a.m. and from 9 p.m. until the park closes. To take advantage of the new law dog owners must be able to show proof that dogs are currently licensed and vaccinated against rabies, as required by state and city law.
“Through a public process, the Parks Department codified the successful, long-standing “courtesy hours” policy for the benefit of all New Yorkers,” said New York City Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “We know that a tired dog is a good dog and for the last two decades, this policy has made parks safer and has allowed dog owners to exercise and socialize their pets.”
“I think this is a wonderful policy,” said Juniper Park Dog Association President Terri Sullivan, who made the trip into Manhattan’s Central Park last week to attend the official announcement.
Although she has been on the front lines in the battle to preserve off-leash privileges that began in Queens when the Juniper Park Civic Association sued the city to enforce its own leash laws, Sullivan said that she did not view the outcome as a victory but as an opportunity.
“Now instead we can get together,” to solve problems, she said.
Parks are grouped into four designated categories: 1) No dogs allowed; 2) Dogs must be on-leash at all times; 3) Designated dog run; and 4) Designated off-leash area.
Not all parks will have off-leash hours. Dogs will continue to be prohibited at all times in areas including playgrounds, ball fields, zoos, swimming pools, and basketball and tennis courts. Parks with a dog run usually do not also have off-leash areas.
“It’s a very good thing for the dog owners and I think that even non-dog owners are beginning to see that it’s not going to be dogs running rampant everywhere,” Sullivan said.
For a full list of off-leash areas, dog runs and all Parks rules and regulations concerning dogs in parks, visit www.nyc.gov/parks/dogs.