The leash laws are to cut down on dogs running free, getting hit by cars, yes, jumping on people and other dogs, and a whole lot of other reasons. It's a good law in an inperfect world, however, as dogs need to be able to run free for exercise, and many dog owners lobby for this right.
In your situation, you may actually think about getting a "working dog: please don't touch" coat, as that will stop most people from just running up and petting.
But as time goes on, I sure hope your new doggie friend becomes acclimated to people very soon. Best thing, actually, is to create opportunities for her to have as much human contact as possible.
Here in NYC, we've been fighting a proposed change to the "off leash Hours" in City parks. As of now, dogs can be off leash from 9PM until Close, and then from opening until 9AM. Where we live, there are probably 2 dozen dogs all running around together from about 7AM until 9 every weekend morning. Rain or shine, hot or cold, we bring water for the dogs and coffee & doughnuts for the humans. Everyone is well-behaved, too. A little squirrel chasing, a little humping, but the dogs are better off for it- They're happier and more socailized than if they were on-leash, struggling to get at one another.
We have every kind of dog imaginable- A lot of mutts from North Shore Animal League, some purebreeds too. Size varies, tto. We have mini Schnauzers, Yorkies, A Doberman, A couple of Pit mixes, a Rottweiler, and of course, Rocky, the "Great American Rock Hound"! (He's Mine.) We have no idea what he is, other than Yellow Lab, and whatever jumped the fence...
LC