University Parks
University Parks is a green expanse of over 70 acres in the heart of Oxford
Summary information
- There is step free access through the three gates on Parks Road, and the gate on South Parks Road. Gates are 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. These are just under 200m from one of the entrance gates in Parks Road.
- Please see University Parks website for general information such as 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. 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.
Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:
- 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.
Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:
- 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.
Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:
- 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.
Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:
- 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.
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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