Moray Council has confirmed that significant improvement works at Cooper Park will begin this month, supported by Levelling Up funding.

The programme is intended to preserve and revitalise one of Elgin's best-loved green spaces, keeping it welcoming and accessible for residents and visitors.

The initial enabling phase, focused on the pond, is scheduled to start in mid-February. This will involve draining the pond to allow essential maintenance and prepare for future upgrades, undertaking vegetation management to enhance biodiversity and sightlines, and felling trees where necessary for safety, tree health and to enable refurbishment of the toilet block.

To protect wildlife during construction, the council will install mitigation on the pond islands to prevent swans from nesting while works are under way. In line with advice from ecologists, measures include reflective tape and small windmills to deter nesting; ramps along the perimeter wall to allow safe exit; and temporary mini ponds to maintain habitat for pond weed and other organisms while the main pond is drained.

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By the start of March, the existing toilet block will enter full refurbishment to deliver modern, accessible facilities. The extension and altering of the existing toilet block into a café, with new public toilets, including a Changing Places facility, is due to complete by late Summer 2026E.

Also from March, full works will commence to improve the wider pond area. Plans include new landscaping and planting to boost biodiversity, upgraded walking routes and play facilities, and refurbishment of historic features, creating a more accessible and inclusive public space.

Moray Council has thanked the community for its patience during construction and noted there may be temporary disruption, with efforts made to minimise inconvenience. The investment aims to ensure Cooper Park remains a vibrant, inclusive destination for years to come.

Chair of Moray Council's Economic Development & Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Marc Macrae, said; "Cooper Park is a much-loved space at the heart of Elgin, and these improvements will make it even more enjoyable for residents and visitors. The Levelling Up Fund investment allows us to enhance facilities, improve biodiversity, and create a park that meets the needs of our community now and in the future."