The role of the Superintendent

University Parks has appointed a Superintendent since 1866. The Superintendent deals with the day-to-day running and development of the Parks. They also manage the team of gardeners that maintain the University Parks and over 200 other green spaces across the city.

Profile photo of Carolyn Jenkins

Carolyn Jenkins

Superintendents over the years

The first Superintendent of University Parks was William Baxter (1816 - 1890). Baxter first worked as Superintendent of the Oxford Botanic Garden and held the position at University Parks until shortly before his death.

William Baxter succeeded his father (also William Baxter 1787 - 1871) as Superintendent of the Botanic Garden, a role appointed to him in 1813. William Baxter (senior) wrote British Phaenogamous Botany or Figures and Descriptions of the Genera of British Flowering Plants, which was published in six volumes between 1834 and 1843.

DatesName
1866 - 1890William Baxter
1890 - 1892Joseph Elham
1892 - 1919Henry Mount
1919 - 1965Gilbert Morris
1966 - 1976Jack Burton
1976 - 1991Tom Hall
1991 - 2017Walter Sawyer
2017 - 2020Dan Winter
2022 - presentCarolyn Jenkins
University Parks team 1978

Caring for the Parks

Discover how University Parks evolved from Victorian grand plans to a thriving 70-acre arboretum, managed today by our dedicated curators and team.
img 20250714

Replanting of the Hayrick Border

One of the best loved areas of the Parks is the herbaceous border - the Hayrick Border - that runs northwards from the South Lodge entrance. For decades this has given pleasure to visitors to the Parks.
university parks  generic 06 2015

Work commences on refurbishing the Parks public toilets

Refurbishment of the Parks public toilets is now underway, with completion expected by the end of April 2026.