Progress continues at Cooper Park as plans adapt to site challenges
Progress continues to be made towards the rejuvenation of Elgin's Cooper Park Pond and surrounding area. The coming weeks will see more significant and visible changes to the popular area.
Changes at Cooper Park in Elgin are funded as part of the UK Government’s £18M Levelling Up Fund, with these improvements representing a significant investment in Elgin’s public spaces and will help ensure Cooper Park continues to be a vibrant and inclusive destination for generations to come.
Steady progress is being made around the pond, including improving pathways and repairs to the pond walls. These repairs are a complex and detailed process, made more challenging by the discovery of worse erosion than anticipated once work began and therefore the need to consult with specialist engineers. This work is expected to continue for another few weeks.
The recent removal of the 50-metre bird exclusion zone, which was put in place following advice from ecologists to protect nesting birds, can now be removed as there is no evidence of birds still being there as expected. This will allow work to accelerate in the coming weeks.
New stones are being installed around the pond edge to form the straight boundary of the dipping platform (jetty), with the old stones being reused to form the base of the new paths. Two new benches have also been added to the library side of the pond, although these are still within the construction compound.
Significant progress is also being made on the new toilet facilities. The internal strip-out of the existing building has been completed and foundations for the extension have been poured. Construction of the new walls is expected to begin soon, with scaffolding now in place providing a clear indication of activity for park visitors. An ecological survey has also been completed, confirming that no roosting bats were present within the building, with only an empty roost from 2025 identified, allowing works to proceed as planned.
Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development & Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Marc Macrae, said; “Moray Council appreciates the community’s patience while these works are carried out. Cooper Park means so much to so many of us in Moray, and despite unexpected challenges during construction, progress is steaming ahead. I look forward to seeing the improvements giving a more enjoyable experience for residents and visitors. This investment allows us to enhance facilities, improve biodiversity, and create a park that meets the needs of our community now and in the future.”