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 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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