Moray Council has approved a draft masterplan for Cooper Park, allowing the Elgin Neighbourhood Board to move to the next stage of work and invite views from the public.

The consultation will run from 12 October to 4 December 2026 and is aimed at refining the masterplan into specific projects. The locations of some proposals will be confirmed following local feedback.

Over the eight weeks, the Board will host drop-in sessions, workshops with park user groups, school activities and online engagement. Live links to take part will be shared when the consultation opens.

Elgin was awarded £20m in 2023 from the UK Government's long-term plan for towns, which is designed to let communities set their priorities for the future of their area. Elgin is in Phase 1 of the Pride in Place Programme, which began earlier this year.

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Earlier engagement by the Elgin Neighbourhood Board, and by Moray Council during the creation of the Elgin City Centre Masterplan in 2021, highlighted strong public support for improvements at Cooper Park.

Work is already progressing through the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) and the Moray Growth Deal (MGD). LUF investment covers refurbishment of Cooper Park Pond and the conversion of the existing toilets into a new café, toilets and a changing places facility. The MGD Cultural Quarter project includes bringing nearby Grant Lodge back into use, refurbishing Elgin Town Hall, and the Early Years STEM Centre in Elgin Library, which opened in February.

The Elgin Neighbourhood Board has outlined further concepts to enhance Cooper Park as a destination, including a fully accessible and inclusive play space, a bouldering area, a cycling proficiency track, an outdoor gym, path upgrades, solar lighting and signage, landscaping to boost biodiversity, and a new pavilion with a multi-use games area.

Cllr Amber Dunbar, Depute Leader of Moray Council, said: "The masterplan sets out a shared vision to conserve and enhance the park, while identifying locations for new facilities that make it a more attractive space for visitors without detracting from what makes the park special. This vision reflects feedback from both the community and Moray Council."