Prospect Park's off-leash hours end at nine in the morning, and Coffee Bark is what happens when a few dozen Brooklyn dog owners decide to make the last hour social. Dogs run in a loose pack over biscuits while their people stand around with coffee and pastries, and it has been running long enough that regulars know each other's dogs by name. If you have a dog and have never done Prospect Park's off-leash hours properly, this is the friendliest possible introduction.
What to expect
A large informal gathering on the park's open lawns during off-leash hours, with coffee and pastries laid out for the humans and biscuits for the dogs. Dozens of dogs run together, which is genuinely a sight if you have not seen it. It winds down as the off-leash window closes and the park fills with runners.
Good to know
- Very early start — this happens inside Prospect Park's morning off-leash window
- Free, organised by the volunteer group FIDO
- Bring your dog; sociable dogs get the most out of it
- The B/Q to Prospect Park or 2/3 to Grand Army Plaza both work
- Leashes go back on when the off-leash hours end, so know the cutoff
- Fine to come without a dog if you just want the scene
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Common questions
Do I need a dog to come?
No, though the event is built around Prospect Park's off-leash hours and most attendees bring one.
Who runs it?
FIDO — the Fellowship in the Interest of Dogs and their Owners, a volunteer group in Prospect Park.
Is the coffee free?
Yes. Coffee and pastries are laid on for attendees at no charge.
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