Isle Of NYC Dogs: Governors Island Opens To 4-Legged Friends

NEW YORK CITY — Governors Island is going to the dogs — and that's good news for New Yorkers with fur babies.

Visitors to Governors Island on Saturday can bring their pooches to the island park for the first time in its history.

And it won't be the last time the island's trustees will throw dog owners a bone. Every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. going forward is an official "Dog Day."

“We are so doggone excited that Governors Island is now open to the public all year long, and we cannot wait to welcome our four-legged friends to enjoy the Island’s stunning open spaces for the first time—and to open New York Harbor’s first dog park!" Clare Newman, president and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island, said in a statement. "Dog Days will help our visitors enjoy the Island in a totally new way—so throw your pooch a bone, hop on the ferry, and we’ll see you on the Island."

Saturdays won't be a free-for-all dogpile, however.

Canines must remain on leashes, unless they're in the officially designated dog park behind Liggett Terrace that will be open during the Dog Days hours.

The pet-friendly move is the only to further open up the former military installation-turned-into-park to the public. In November, Governors Island opened to the public year-round for the first time.

Park officials also noted that although this is the first time the general public can take their mutts to the island, it hasn't exactly been dog-free.

A special crew of five working dogs have been running around the Island for six years, officials said. The pooches are trained to chase the geese off the Island without harming them.

"The team—Max, Chip, Quinn, Leader and Aspen—will be ready to greet new four-legged visitors and will serve as the official Governors Island welcome crew for visitors and their pups!" officials said in a release.

People who bring their dogs to Governors Island are also asked to share photos on Instagram with the hashtag #GIDogDays and tag @governorsisland.