Exploring Francis Lewis Park Dog Beach in New York City 2025
Spending fun time with furry friends is easy in New York. NY houses many dog-friendly beaches, parks, dog runs, etc. Among them, the most popular is Francis Lewis Park Dog Beach. This pet-friendly beach lays down simple laws and policies. Visitors and pets must abide by the rules at all times.
Francis Lewis is a small yet breathtakingly beautiful beach. It’s the perfect place for strolling around and cooling off. There is an entrance gate for the swimming section to prevent furry friends from wading far into the East River. The park has many rocks spread here and there. Pups climb on them and enjoy a little adventurous activity.
Francis Lewis Park Dog Rules, NY
- The beach allows dogs to stroll around on a leash. A pet’s leash can be a maximum of 6 feet.
- Pets are prohibited from entering the water at Francis Lewis Park Dog Beach.
- Owners must always keep their pets under control & well-behaved. They are prohibited from chasing other beach wildlife.
- Dog waste must be cleaned and thrown out on the beach in appropriate dustbins.
- Francis Lewis Beach prohibits dogs from disturbing other beachgoers, birds, and animals.
Francis Lewis Park Dog Beach, New York
Francis Lewis Park, NY Dog Licensing
Harboring dogs in the City of New York requires licensing. Even many parks and beaches here prohibit unlicensed dogs. Registration is mandatory for dogs above 6 months or with permanent teeth. This registration remains valid for one year. Licenses with a validity of five years are also available. Residents must renew them before the expiration date.
Dogs must always wear a license tag on their collar. The cost of licensing depends on the validity period. Charges for registration of neutered and spayed dogs are different. Licenses are applied for at municipalities or online via state websites. NYC state laws also prohibit dogs from running freely outside their owners’ property.
How to reach Francis Lewis Park
- By Air: The closest airports to Francis Lewis Park Dog Beach are New York JFK (JFK) and New York La Guardia (LGA)
- By Train: The nearest railway station to Francis Lewis Park Dog Beach is in Murray Hill (22 min walk away)
- By Bus: A bus for Francis Lewis Park Dog Beach is available from 150 St/7 Av (7 min walk)
- By Subway: Visitors take the subway to Francis Lewis Park Dog Beach from Flushing-Main St (32 min walk)
- By Road: From Queens, Francis Lewis Park Dog Beach is 15 minutes (9.2 miles approx) away. Visitors can take a cab or self-drive to the beach in 10 minutes (approx).
About Dog-Friendly Francis Lewis Park – NY
Francis Lewis Park is a beautiful waterfront in Queens, NY. This popular dog beach spreads across 17 acres. It lies under the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. The history of this place dates back to the 19th century. The park was named after Frank Da Cruz (an American singer, patriot & merchant). Visitors can enjoy glimpsing the Whitestone Bridge and Ferry Point Park from here.
There are two zigzag paths in the park. The first one leads to a beautiful overlook offering games, tables, and benches. The other leads to a mesmerizing beach. It’s perfect for undertaking adventurous activities like canoeing and kayaking. Francis Beach features courts for handball, bocce, and basketball. Visitors also find a playground and a bowl-shaped lawn inside.
Francis Lewis Park has breathtaking views of the Whitestone Bridge at night. The park authorities, Friends of Francis Lewis Park, organize summer concerts on the premises.
- Parking: Restaurant Depot HQ Parking and Flushing Commons South Garage
- Nearby Visiting Places: Top of The Rock and Queens Botanical Garden
- Dog-Friendly Restaurants: Annie’s Social and Little Bay Dog Run
- Dog-Friendly Hotels: Extended Stay America – New York City – LaGuardia Airport and Four Points by Sheraton Flushing
- Dog Boarding: Whitestone Doghouse and Rapawzel Dog Grooming & Day Care
- Things to do: Kayaking, canoeing, playing basketball and handball, jogging, swimming, sunbathing, etc
- Events: It’s My Park at Francis Lewis Park, Community Easter Egg Hunt, and New York World’s Fair Site: Explore its utopian future on an audio tour
- Rental Providers: Carollo Realty and Management and The Rental Professionals Inc.
- Amenities: Public restrooms, spray showers, launch sites for kayak and canoe, courts for handball, bocce, and basketball, wheelchair accessibility, companion seating, drinking fountains, benches, etc
- Beach Hours: Seven days a week from 06:00 am to 09:00 pm
Francis Lewis Park Egg Hunt
Francis Lewis Park is a renowned spot in Queens, NY. The beach park organizes various events and concerts to attract visitors. The most popular among them is the Community Easter Egg Hunt. This egg hunt is conducted every year for kids up to 12 years old. Prior online registration is mandatory.
Participants are required to bring their egg hunt baskets. Supplies for the game are limited, so visitors must be available on time to collect them. Special eggs are offered to children with nut allergies.
Entry to the event is free for participants. A sunrise Easter gathering is conducted before an egg hunt. Visitors can participate in either or both events.
Francis Lewis Park Rules and Regulations
- Visitors must be courteous to each other and other beach birds & animals. Feeding any wildlife at the beach is prohibited.
- Skateboards, bicycles, scooters, and skates are prohibited at Francis Lewis Park.
- At many playgrounds, adults are prohibited from entering. However, they get to enter only when accompanying a child.
- Visitors are responsible for keeping the beach and park clean. They must throw away waste in the appropriate bins provided throughout the place.
- Glass vessels and containers are barred from the beach.
- Bringing and consuming alcoholic beverages on the beach is prohibited.
- Lighting a fire and erecting shelters & tents in Francis Lewis Beach Park is prohibited.
- Swimming, diving, and bathing are prohibited.
- Open flames and motorized vehicles are forbidden on the park premises.
Conclusion
Francis Lewis Park Dog Beach in Whitestone quickly became a spring favorite. My pup loved splashing along the shore while I soaked in the peaceful vibe. It’s a pet-friendly gem with tasty local spots, nearby hotels, and groomers just around the corner. A perfect slice of NYC for laid-back days with your four-legged buddy.
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