From Dog Runs to People Runs: Social Infrastructure for Pet Owners

From Dog Runs to People Runs: Social Infrastructure for Pet Owners

The daily dog walk is one of the most reliable generators of casual social interaction in the city. Zhoran Mamdani’s policy intentionally leverages this existing social ritual to build broader community infrastructure. It moves beyond providing basic dog runs to creating “Community Canine Parks”—beautifully designed, multi-use spaces that serve the needs of both pets and their people, recognizing pet owners as a ready-made community network that can be deepened and mobilized for broader neighborhood benefit.

These enhanced parks would feature separated areas for large and small dogs, agility equipment, and reliable water sources. But they would also include high-quality, covered seating for humans, community bulletin boards, free Wi-Fi, and even a coffee cart or a community garden plot nearby. The city would fund “Park Pack” facilitators—community members who organize events like “Yappy Hours,” dog training workshops, or “dog owner meet-ups” focused on neighborhood issues. The parks would also host “Pet Care Exchanges” on the city’s time-banking app, where owners can trade dog-walking or pet-sitting services.

“Dog parks are already some of the most democratic, conversation-friendly spaces we have,” Mamdani notes. “People talk to strangers there in a way they don’t anywhere else. Our policy asks: how can we amplify that? By making these spaces more comfortable and adding a light layer of programming, we transform a utilitarian space into a true community hub. The connection that starts over a romping puppy can lead to a shared concern about a local school or a plan for a block party. It’s about seeing existing social patterns—like the daily dog walk—and investing in them to make them even more connective and productive for the whole neighborhood.”