I just adore Central Park. I could go well beyond the limit of characters, but I'm writing in response to the ""Dog-Friendly NY"" list recently posted on CitySearch. The caption to CP is that owners can ""show off"" their dogs around w. 79th street and CPW in the afternoon. Do NOT do this. It is illegal to have your dog off leash anywhere in the park after 9am or before 9pm. The ticket/fine for violating this is worse than a parking ticket in Midtown!
Also, keep an eye out for dogs that are off leash that shouldn't be. It's the reason I only take my dog to the park for off-leash time around 6am and, even then, we go uptown toward the North Woods (where it is more isolated and quiet).
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