Under development Autumn 2025; opening delayed until the planned Park redevelopment has been completed
Try orienteering at Cooper Park, Elgin !
Jogging round a Permanent Orienteering Course is the perfect way to get active, enjoying the scenery and green spaces with your family, or a chance to get outdoors for a competitive challenge! The combination of physical and mental exercise often in stunning locations is like no other, as you can find, navigate and complete courses at any time, at your own pace.
The Permanent Orienteering Courses at Cooper Park in Elgin are series of posts (controls) spread around the park, shown on a map which will be available available to download. Posts are usually on obvious features such as path junctions and fence corners. Your challenge is to find these controls, following a route drawn on the map. Each post or control will have a number and a unique letter and number on it. Controls should be visited in the order shown on the map. Match the control code with that shown on your map, and note down the matching letter as proof you’ve been there. Navigation around a course is a great fun - you can run or walk between controls from the start to the finish. 
Two courses are available:
Shorter - 1.5 km
Longer - 2.7 km
The start and finish for both courses is close to the Library. Or you can download a pdf copy of either map to your phone by following the link for each course.
The equipment you need: a map with your course marked on it, available from the library or downloaded. A pen or pencil; a compass is optional - you could download one on your mobile phone. And of course suitable clothing for the weather on the day!
Safety: Some of the paths may be uneven and slippery when wet; take care. Do not run close to the edge of the River Lossie or the main lake in the park. If you are following the longer course use the underpass, do not cross the main Lossiemouth road.
These permanent orienteering courses have been set up as a partnership between Moravian Orienteering Club and Moray Council to give people new to orienteering an opportunity to try out the sport. The two courses are designed for people of a wide range of ages and abilities. Routes are confined to the parkland to the south of the River Lossie. Both courses are suitable for individuals, families (with buggies) and small groups. The distances shown for each course represents the straight-line distance between the controls. The route people actually follow will often be longer!
If you have any comments about using this course, or if you find any of the controls damaged or missing, please email: club@mor.scot. If you enjoyed your run round the park visit www.mor.scot for more information about other permanent courses or orienteering events in Moray.