Please Leash Your Dog While Visiting the Catskill Center’s Thorn Preserve

Leashed dogs are welcome visitors at all Catskill Center properties, including Thorn Preserve, Platte Clove Preserve, and the Catskills Visitor Center. Unfortunately, we've noticed an increasing issue with visitors allowing their dogs to roam off leash at Thorn Preserve. While we acknowledge that dogs enjoy areas where they can run free, leash regulations in public spaces exist for good reason. They might seem inconvenient, but they're designed to keep everyone safe—and it’s also the law, see WOODSTOCK, NEW YORK MUNICIPAL CODE 14-7 (B)(2)(A).

Adhering to leash laws is crucial for protecting sensitive plant and animal communities, even if your dog is well-behaved. This is particularly true in areas like Thorn Preserve, where the survival of the ground-nesting bobolink depends on responsible human behavior, including keeping dogs on a leash. These birds build their nests directly on the ground in open fields, placing them in a vulnerable position to be disturbed. A dog off its leash, acting out of curiosity or instinct, could trample these hidden nests, destroy eggs, or cause parent birds to abandon their nest sites. By following leash laws, you help ensure your pet does not inadvertently pose a threat to these delicate nesting grounds, thus contributing to the preservation of essential breeding habitats for species like the bobolink.

Leash laws serve an essential purpose in public spaces, not only for the safety of sensitive wildlife habitat, but also in consideration of people's varying comfort levels around dogs. Many individuals may have had past negative encounters with dogs, ranging from minor scares to more serious incidents, leading to a persistent unease around them. Others might simply not enjoy the presence of dogs due to personal preferences or fears. By adhering to leash laws, we help ensure that public areas remain accessible, enjoyable, and safe for everyone, regardless of their personal feelings or experiences with dogs.

It's also important to recognize that not all dogs are sociable or comfortable around other dogs, which underscores the necessity of leash laws. These regulations prevent potentially stressful or aggressive interactions between dogs, safeguarding the mental and physical health of all pets. Furthermore, keeping dogs on leashes prevents them from wandering off and encountering dangerous situations such as busy roads or other environmental hazards. By adhering to leash laws, pet owners significantly mitigate these risks, ensuring a secure environment for all pets and their owners.

Consistent adherence to leash laws is also a key factor in maintaining dog-friendly spaces within our communities. Following these rules demonstrates responsible pet ownership and a commitment to public safety and comfort. However, disregarding leash laws can lead to stricter regulations, including more severe restrictions or outright bans on dogs in public areas. This limits the spaces where dogs can enjoy the outdoors with their owners and impacts the overall perception of dogs in the community. By following leash laws, dog owners play a vital role in ensuring that public spaces remain welcoming and accessible to dogs, thereby preserving the enjoyment these areas offer to both pets and their human companions.

We kindly ask all visitors to respect and follow these guidelines, ensuring that Thorn Preserve continues to be a safe and enjoyable place for all. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us protect this unique landscape.