The park is open to the public during the day, and has gardens, large sports fields, and exotic plants.

[1] Between 1912 and early 1950s, a further portion was used to build the Science Area, so the current site measures around 74 acres (30 ha).

The Parks is also used for other sports such as rugby football, hockey, lacrosse, tennis and croquet.

[10][11] The pavilion was designed by Thomas G. Jackson, architect of many nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Oxford buildings, including the University's Examination Schools.

[10] The building has three gables, the central one containing the clock, and is topped by a cupola 'of almost absurd height' and weather-vane.

[10] Before moving to The Parks, the University Cricket Club played on the Magdalen Ground and Bullingdon Green.

[18] [19] [20] The Parks was the venue for Durham's inaugural first-class match when they played Oxford University there in April 1992.

Prior to the 2010 season, the UCCE was rebranded as Oxford Marylebone Cricket Club University (MCCU).