University Parks
University Parks is a green expanse of over 70 acres in the heart of Oxford
Summary information
- Step free access through the three gates on Parks Road, and the gate on South Parks Road. Gates held open during opening hours
- The Cox's Corner and Lady Margaret Hall entrances have narrow gates and will not be accessible to most wheelchair users
- Paths around the Parks are wide, step free and have a firm surface. Paths can be uneven in places
- There is an accessible toilet next to the Cricket Pavilion which requires a Radar Key
- There are also standard male and female toilets
- There is no parking onsite, but there are public Blue Badge spaces on Keble Road which are just under 200 m from one of the entrance gates in Parks Road
- Please see University Parks website for general information, including opening hours, and map
This table contains summary information
On-site designated parking for Blue Badge holders | No |
---|---|
Public designated parking for Blue Badge holders within 200m | Yes - on Keble Road close to the entrance |
Other nearby parking | Pay and display |
Main entrance | Level access via main gates. Gates held open |
Alternative entrance | Some gates not wheelchair accessible |
Wheelchair accessible toilets | Yes - Radar key needed |
Lift | N/A |
Hearing support systems | N/A |
Google maps
https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2469.428905412219!2d-1.2556868840679598!3d51.76176579989352!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x4876c4021439b873%3A0x6ea8b06419511b5b!2sUniversity%20Parks!5e0!3m2!1sen!2suk!4v1649165851414!5m2!1sen!2suk
University map
https://maps.ox.ac.uk/bd821e30-d8ba-11eb-a363-059e537832a1/search/projects/23/6336bc9ca56580b7ce5716f6?instance=iframe_small
- Entry into the Parks is free
- Please see the Parks website for more information including opening hours
- There are several entrances into the Parks - many are wheelchair accessible, some are not
- Once inside the Parks, all path surfaces are hoggin which generally gives good grip and a level firm surface
Parks Road entrances
- There is a path running alongside the Parks with three entrance points. The path is shared by pedestrians and cyclists with a central line dividing the two
- All three entrances are step free, level and are held open during park opening hours
- The Keble Gate at the south has a clear width of 1.8 m
- The Ginkgo Gate in the middle has a clear with of 2.1m
- The entrance gate at the north (by Norham Gardens) has a clear width of 1.4 m. The surface here is slightly worn and uneven; puddles can form when it's raining
Lady Margaret Hall Gate
- Level footpath from Norham Gardens (close to Lady Margaret Hall) leading to gated entrance
- The gate is designed to deter cyclists from entering the park - this means that it is unlikely to be accessible to wheelchair users and other disabled people
- The gate must be pushed fully in one direction, then visitors enter a small side compartment (1.2 m x 1.2m). The gate is then pushed fully in the other direction to enable visitors to enter or leave the park
- The gate is manual and large, but it is not heavy
High Bridge entrance
- Pedestrian path from Marston to the Parks - uneven surface may not be accessible to many wheelchair users
- There is a gate into the park with a clear width of 1.1 m. This is held open during opening hours
- The path into the Parks goes over High Bridge - this is very steep (1 in 4 gradient)
- There are railings either side of the bridge which are lower than standard railings - about 80 cm high
- The bridge is 1.7 m wide
South Parks Road
- Very wide gates into park (over 2m). Gates held open during opening hours
- Vehicles also use this entrance. Traffic volume is low, but vehicles and pedestrians share the surface for a distance of about 40 m
- Surface is level, with some sections that are poorly repaired and uneven
Marston cycle track entrance
- Cycle path from Marston to the Parks leading to gated entrance
- Narrow gate is designed to deter cyclists from entering the park - this means that it is unlikely to be accessible to wheelchair users and other disabled people
- Adjacent gate locked with Radar Key padlock and bottom bolt. Gate has a clear width of 1m
- Radar Key padlock is 1 m high. Bottom bolt is 55 cm high
Science Area entrance
- Access into Parks from University Science Area
- Wide level path leading to entrance
- Gate into the park with a clear with of about 2 m. Gate is held open during opening hours
Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:
- Information signs at High Bridge entrance, Lady Margaret Hall Gate, South Parks Road entrance, Science Area entrance and Parks Road north entrance
- Information signs at High Bridge entrance and Science Area entrance have Parks information only
- All other information points have Parks information and a map
- Signs are positioned high up and have small text
Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:
- Public toilets located in the centre of the Parks next to the cricket pavilion
- Male, female, and accessible toilets
Accessible toilet
- Radar Key needed to access toilet
- Uneven surface at entrance to path leading to toilet
- Gate at path leading to toilet is held open, clear width of 76 cm
- Outward opening toilet door, clear width of 86 cm
- Door is light to medium to open
- Door sticks against the ground when fully open
- Door is locked with a small twist lock
- Pull bar on the inside of the door
- Room dimensions are 1.5 m wide by 2.3 m long
- Cleaners cupboard in the toilet reduces the available space
- Lights switch on automatically
- Toilet seat height is 45 cm
- Toilet cistern can be used as a back rest
- Lever flush on the closed side of toilet
- As you face the toilet, transfer space is on left
- Dropdown rail on transfer side of toilet
- Wall mounted grab rails on closed side of toilet
- Sink not reachable from toilet seat
- Vertical grab rail on left side of sink
- Poor contrast between the walls and handrails and other fixtures
- No clothes hooks
- No mirror
- Pull cord alarm next to toilet. Reset button not reachable from toilet
- Open waste bin
Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:
- Network of paths throughout the Parks
- Map available on the Parks website
- Paths are mostly hoggin - a mix of gravel, sand and clay that binds when compacted
- Hoggin gives a firm level surface
- A few stones and tree roots stick out of path surface in places
- Some sections of path are moderately uneven where surfaces have become worn and damaged
- Small sections of path are tarmac or concrete. These are firm and level
- Paths are generally level, but have a slight downwards camber (slope) either side for water drainage
- Paths are generally between 2 m and 4 m wide
- A few sections of paths are narrower - never less than 1 m wide
- Plenty of seating on paths. Seating section has more details
October 2022 update
- A small section of path alongside cricket pavilion leading to toilets is closed
- Access to toilets remains by using the grass alongside the path
- Grass surface is firm and level but may become muddy when weather is wet
Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:
- Benches available throughout the Parks
- Benches are usually immediately next to the paths
- Some benches are set back from paths
- Almost all benches have back rests and arm supports
- Benches have a range of seat heights - from around 40 cm high to around 53 cm high
- Almost all benches have plenty of space around them for pushchairs and wheelchairs etc
- Visitors can also sit on the grass around the Parks
Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:
- Café is next to Keble Gate
- Owned and operated by private company, not University Parks
- Seating is outdoors. No covered area
- Loose tables and chairs that can be moved if needed
- Chairs have backrests but do not have arm rests
- Tables are small and the legs prevent wheelchair access
- Seating area is spacious
- Café counter is 1.3 m high
Please click on the thumbnails to enlarge:
Contact details
University Parks
South Lodge
South Parks Road
Oxford
OX1 3RF
university.parks@admin.ox.ac.uk
01865 282040
www.parks.ox.ac.uk
Contact the Access Guide
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