Prospect Park Dog Beach — Attraction in New York

The dog beach is a creature categorically of the unknown. If you come here expecting a typical site for a dog beach, I would have no idea how to relate the scene I found.

In lieu of sun tanned pugs, pitbulls scrolling their NYT dailies with piña coladas in paw, Aussies gossiping about the latest reality news, or Samoyeds slipping to the bar for a dignified cool down, the scene was entirely too active for my taste. Several dogs went into the water and not merely to show off their fashionable collars, but to move to and fro and even up and down. Humans stood on the shores and sat on the benches to observe, like referees in the midst of a heated tennis game. They eagerly engaged, throwing balls hither and thither like a water polo captain learning to play softball. The dogs, seemingly unwilling to train their humans out of such manners, rushed side to side to catch them like so many goalies guarding a dugout at the type of children's chess match one often finds on Brooklyn street corners. One cannot trust these children.

I had thought better than this of the dogs but I tarried to tell them so, and when I did speak up they were as wonderfully congenial as any dogs I'd met, apologizing profusely for any damage caused, physical, emotional, or geographical given my line of work, by their dual-legged companions. One, a better-known colleague of David Remnick, even offered a verse he'd written that morning over coffee, as a contribution to the mission of my work:

Oh, I miss you sun. Were you ever there At all or was it some trick of the light? Were you ever you, or just some blinding Stolen neon sign blinking off at night, Sipping martinis until daybreak calls And wishing in silence that the world would Turn a little faster so if ever After it did you would do what you could? Did I ever miss you at all? I call Myself I - oh, was I ever at all?

Remnick himself came up afterward and claimed he had helped Apawrno with the editing process but I hesitate to give out multiple authorship as if it were stripes on a bucket hat at...

Tucked away in the heart of Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, Dog Beach is a peaceful and playful haven for dogs and their humans. Located near the Parkside Avenue entrance, this small stretch of shoreline along the stream offers dogs a rare chance to splash, swim, and socialize off-leash in a natural setting. The area is clean, well-maintained, and beautifully shaded by tall trees, making it perfect for warm days. The water is shallow and gentle, so it’s great even for smaller or less confident swimmers. Owners can relax on nearby rocks or benches while their dogs romp around. One of the best things about Dog Beach is the community vibe—friendly dog owners, happy pups, and a mutual respect for the shared space. Early mornings tend to be more peaceful, while weekends bring more energy and excitement. Keep in mind: dogs are only allowed off-leash during specific hours (usually early mornings and late evenings), so check the park’s rules before visiting. It’s also smart to bring towels and be ready for wet paws! Whether you’re a local or just visiting Brooklyn, Prospect Park Dog Beach is a must-visit spot for dog lovers looking for a break from the...

The lake is fenced in so the dogs can't swim far out but the "beach" area itself is not fenced. Technically, in all NYC parks (except in designated areas) dogs are only allowed off-leash before 9am and after 9pm. There's a sign on the dog beach indicating something to that effect. In short, the dog beach is NOT an off-leash area so taking your dog off the leash could mean steep fines if you're caught by Parks Dept or NYPD and potentially increased liability for you if something happens involving your dog. Also, people (without dogs) bring kids here to pet/poke other people's dogs so incidents are all too common and with an off-leash dog, the handler will have to assume full liability even when it's obviously the actual fault of the children and their caretakers. (Trust me - I'm a Juris Doctor.) Still a great spot because there aren't many places like...