For dog owners living in Manhattan, it can be difficult to find a place where their pets can roam freely and 
that is also a decent place to spend time at. But what if that place actually exists in the heart of Manhattan?
The Madison Square Park Dog Run, also known as Jemmy’s Dog Run, is a popular attraction for dog owners and dogs alike because of the spacious grounds, the availability of resources like poop bags and water bowls, and the overall atmosphere of the park.
The dog run is located on the western section of the park at 24th Street and 5th Avenue, relatively close to the Flatiron Building. The run contains a section for large dogs and one for smaller dogs. If there are no small dogs, the section can be used for “dogs who don’t play nicely” according to Nikki who owns a Jack Russell Terrier, Lila, and is a semi-regular visitor of the dog run
The ground itself isn’t grass but made up of gravel and dirt, which the patrons have mixed feelings about. While they say it makes it easy to pick their dog’s droppings, it can get muddy after it rains. Since the run is a popular destination for dog owners, it can get crowded but dogs still have enough space to frolic and hang out with the other pups there.
One of the most convenient aspects for dog owners are the poop bags and water bowls provided for their animals. The bags are helpful and prevent the park from smelling terrible during the hot summer days. The water bowls are usually out in the summer when the park has the water turned on but the poop bags are there all year round. But according to Cory, who was enjoying his lunch near the dog run, some owners don’t pick up after their dogs and “pretend as if it didn’t happen.” This doesn’t happen too often according to frequent visitors of the run, but there are always inconsiderate people.
Madison Square Park is overall a peaceful park, even though it is centered in a hectic part of Manhattan. Throughout the year, trees offer shade for humans and pets alike. The Shake Shack in the center of the park is also animal friendly so you and your dog can cool down after some time at the Dog Run. There is rarely any litter around the park and the Dog Run, which is a nice change compared to how grimy Manhattan can be at times.