Cooper Park Masterplan - Phase Three
The Elgin Neighbourhood Board, working in partnership with Moray Council, commissioned MBLA Design Ltd to prepare a Masterplan for Cooper Park. This plan will provide a strategic framework to guide future development and transformation whilst ensuring that the character of the park is preserved.
In October 2023, Elgin was awarded £20m over 10 years from the UK Government to support local priorities, managed by the community-led Elgin Neighbourhood Board. Following two rounds of engagement, the Board identified potential park improvements including a pump track, multi-use games area, fully accessible and inclusive play space, upgraded or new pavilion.
Additional investm
ent is planned through the Levelling Up fund to refurbish the Cooper Park pond and repurpose the existing toilet provision to create a new cafe, toilets and changing places facility. Grant Lodge will also be restored through the Moray Growth Deal.
The Masterplan aims to co-ordinate all current and future activities to ensure a cohesive vision for Cooper Park.
Two public drop‑in sessions took place late November 2025, and the feedback gathered is now informing the preparation of the draft Masterplan
Please share your thoughts on the future transformation of Cooper Park.
Background
Engagement on Cooper Park was undertaken in 2021 as part of the wider Elgin City Centre Masterplan engagement. At that point, children and young people were also encouraged to submit design options to either design a new play area, redesign the pond or design a new amphitheatre.
Incorporating the feedback received previously on Cooper Park, Moray Council successfully applied for funding in the third round of the Levelling Up Fund for the Elgin City Centre Masterplan and in November 2023, Elgin was awarded £18m. Plans included the re-imaging of Cooper Park to:
- Restore the pond for active use, with accessible walkways, biodiversity planting and new seating and
- Extend and repurpose the existing toilet block into a cafe with changing places toilet to support park users.
In October 2023, Elgin was awarded a further £20m funding over 10 years from the UK Government, which is being managed by the community-led Elgin Neighbourhood Board to deliver local priorities. As part of the extensive engagement undertaken, high volume of comments were received to increase leisure, recreation and entertainment activities in Cooper Park. Suggestions included a pump track, multi-use games area, fully accessible and inclusive play area and outdoor gym. In response, the Elgin Neighbourhood Board commissioned a Masterplan to co-ordinate all current and future activities across the park.
