Tom’s Dog Run is the volunteer-managed off-leash enclosure inside Thomas Jefferson Park in East Harlem. The fenced run sits beside FDR Drive between East 111th and East 112th Streets, with a wood-chip surface, seating and simple play obstacles.
Plan your visit
- Location: Thomas Jefferson Park, FDR Drive between East 111th and East 112th Streets, New York, NY 10029.
- Park hours: Thomas Jefferson Park is generally open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Follow posted notices at the run.
- Off-leash boundary: Dogs may play off leash inside the fenced run only.
- Play space: The current enclosure is a combined dog area rather than separate small- and large-dog runs.
- Water: Visitors repeatedly report no dependable water source. Bring water and a bowl.
- Surface: Wood chips help cover the ground, but worn areas can become dusty or muddy.
Find the dog run entrance
Approach Thomas Jefferson Park from East 111th or East 112th Street and walk toward the FDR Drive edge of the park. The dog run is near the pedestrian bridge that crosses the highway toward the East River Esplanade. Keep your dog leashed until both of you are inside the gated enclosure.
Open the volunteer group’s visit page for its current location reference.
Inside Tom’s Dog Run
The enclosure has a long, narrow shape beside the highway, with fencing, wood chips, benches and low play structures. The open layout works for chase and social play, though dogs that need distance from others may find a quiet visit easier than a crowded one.
Community volunteers manage routine upkeep in partnership with NYC Parks. They organize cleanups, fill holes, spread wood chips and report larger maintenance needs. A 2026 community-design process is considering future improvements, so the layout may change after construction is funded and scheduled.
Rules and practical cautions
Follow all notices posted at the gate, supervise your dog and interrupt rough play before it escalates. Close the gate, clean up waste and remove a dog that becomes aggressive or disruptive. The volunteer group asks visitors to treat other people and dogs with care.
Bring waste bags even when community supplies are present. Watch for holes, displaced wood chips and muddy patches, and keep dogs leashed in the surrounding park and on the route to the enclosure.
What park goers say
Visitors like the relaxed neighborhood feel, friendly regulars and breeze from the nearby river. They describe enough room for fetch and social play, with simple obstacles that give active dogs something extra to explore.
Common cautions include the lack of drinking water, muddy or worn ground and the relatively narrow combined enclosure. Some visitors prefer quieter hours when their dogs need more personal space.
More options and updates
Check the Tom’s Dog Run volunteer website for cleanup events, rules and redesign updates. The official entity is also listed by New York City as Thomas Jefferson Park Dog Run. Browse more New York City dog parks or the wider New York dog park directory. Last researched September 4, 2026.
