University Parks

• 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. This has a firm level 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 have gates that 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

• There is a level footpath from Norham Gardens (close to Lady Margaret Hall) leading to a 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 others using mobility aids. 
• 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

• There is a pedestrian path from Marston to the Parks - this has an uneven surface which may not be accessible for wheelchair users and people using mobility aids. 
• 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

• There are very wide gates into park with a clear width of over 2m. Gates are 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 40m.
• The surface is level, with some sections that are poorly repaired and uneven.

Marston cycle track entrance

• There is a cycle path from Marston to the Parks leading to a gated entrance
• This is a narrow gate is designed to deter cyclists from entering the park - this means that it is unlikely to be accessible to wheelchair users and people using mobility aids. 
• There is a adjacent gate locked with a Radar Key padlock and bottom bolt. This gate has a clear width of 1m.
• The Radar Key padlock is 1 m high. The bottom bolt is 55 cm high.

Science Area entrance

• There is access into the Parks from the University Science Area.
• There is a wide level path leading to the entrance.
• There is a gate into the park with a clear with of about 2 m. The gate is held open during opening hours.

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• The 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.

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• The public toilets are in the centre of the Parks next to the cricket pavilion.
• There are male, female, and accessible toilets

Accessible toilet

• A Radar Key is needed to access the toilet.
• The entrance to the path leading to the toilet is uneven.
• The gate at the path leading to the toilet is held open and has a clear width of 76 cm.
• Outward opening toilet door -  clear width of 86 cm.
• The door is medium weight. 
• The door sticks against the ground when fully open.
• The door is locked with a small twist lock.
• There is a pull bar on the inside of the door.
• The room dimensions are 1.5 m wide by 2.3 m long.
• The cleaners cupboard in the toilet reduces the available space.
• The lights switch on automatically.
• The toilet seat height is 45 cm.
• The toilet cistern can be used as a back rest.
• The lever flush is on the closed side of toilet.
• As you face the toilet, transfer space is on the 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.

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• There is a 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 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.
• There is 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.

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• Benches are 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.
• Visitors can also sit on the grass around the Parks.

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• The café is next to Keble Gate.
• The café is owned and operated by a private company, not University Parks.
• Seating is outdoors. There is 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 underneath. 
• The seating area is spacious.
• Café counter is 1.3 m high.

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