The entry fee is $5, suggested. How will that money be spent? With donations, we break even on this event. We have to rent equipment and buy supplies. If there's any money left over, it goes into our fund to buy poop bags for the dispensers PUPS installed in the park. We're a registered nonprofit, so we have to account for everything.

What inspired you to start Fort Greene Pups? There was a political battle to abolish the off-leash courtesy rule in the parks back in the late 90s. I basically carried a clipboard to the park with me every day and asked people to sign up. Today we have over 500 members. We worked with NYCDOG (the umbrella group for all NYC dog groups) and the Parks Department to codify the off-leash rule into law back in 2007.

You're a real off-leash advocate. What are some pros and cons of letting dogs be off-leash? The main pro is having an exercised, quiet, happy dog. Dogs get much more exercise and socialization when they can go off-leash in the entire park rather than in a tiny dog run. But people have misconceptions when it comes to off-leash in the parks: it boils down to a few hours in the morning before 9:00 am and a few hours at night after 9:00 pm, when there is very little park usage. And off-leash is only for parks that don't have dog runs. I would say the biggest con is that some people don't pay close enough attention to what their dogs are up to and that can lead to problems.

Would you do away with off-leash hours in general if you could? No, I think off-leash during limited hours works better than dog runs. If you can't control your dog, don't take your dog off-leash.

How would you define a responsible dog owner? Somebody who exercises and picks up after their dog, and has taught their dog basic obedience commands.

What are the biggest changes you've noticed in the neighborhood since you started in 1999? Well, obviously gentrification, but that's everywhere. I think the word got out that Fort Greene was a dog-friendly neighborhood so it seems like there a lot more dog owners in the area now. The restaurants all put water bowls out for the dogs. And now we have fancy dog spas and whatnot.

Photograph of Kath Hansen by Leo Moreton
Additional contribution from Jen Chung