University gardens have been recognized as an effective tool for enhancing a tranquil psychological ambience, which enhances optimal work performance. Garden users can participate in the planning and design process of urban green spaces by expressing their desires. Therefore, a questionnaire study was conducted during the academic year 2022/2023 at the Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Sharkia, Egypt, to identify the desires and requirements of campus garden users. As a result of the study, lawn was the preferred plant element in campus gardens, where it is used by designers as a base and essential surface for any recreational area in the garden, followed by flowering herbaceous plants and shrubs. Moreover, most respondents preferred to use fixed seating in campus gardens, followed by pergolas and arches. Fountains were identified as the most desirable water element in campus gardens, followed by waterfalls. Furthermore, the presence of water in the gardens increases the desire of 80.45% of respondents to stay longer, while the sound of water makes 62.27% of participants happy. A total of 94.09% of respondents agreed that satisfaction of human senses enhances the recreational value of the garden. In addition, most participants utilise the garden for meeting friends, recreation and relaxation, studying, and eating.