Hammonds Pond, also known as Upperby Park, is a small local park in Carlisle with a large pond in its centre. To the best of our knowledge it has not been used for orienteering over 10 years. We have a new map to try out so why not come along and give it a go.
This is a local orienteering event suitable for both experienced orienteers and beginners. Currently subject to permission from Carlisle City Council therefore event details at present are provisional – please check back nearer to the event date to confirm the event is going ahead.
Assembly, travel & parking. Parking is within Hammonds Pond park off Blackwell Road: what3words: books.covers.longer, Grid reference NY403534, nearest postcode CA2 4RU. Access in and out of the car park is via a short single track road; approach and leave with care. The event will not be signed apart from an orange & white orienteering marker placed at the entrance gate.
Assembly/Start/Finish. Registration, enquiries, download will be based on the edge of the car park. Start & finish will both be close by. Toilet arrangements to be advised as we believe the in-park toilets are closed.
Courses. All courses are “sprint-style” park orienteering. Subject to final checking: Long approximately 4km straight line (over 30 control points); Short 2.3km; Easy (shortest & suitable for beginners with some off-path grass areas to be crossed) 1.9km. Courses will twist and turn within the park, with both Long and Short having a map flip. Expect some controls to be close together and you may visit some controls more than once. Read the map carefully to identify your correct next control and do check control codes when you punch!
Terrain. Hammonds Pond is a busy local park on the South east side of Carlisle. It is fairly flat with a large pond dominating the centre. There is a miniature railway in the central island (out of bounds for the event!) and a number of play facilities and pitches. Please respect out of bounds and uncrossable features as marked on the map. Flower beds in particular, marked in the usual olive green, are not so splendid at this time of year but are nevertheless still out of bounds. Stay on paths when passing close to the pond edges.
Map. Resurveyed and redrawn Autumn 2025, printed at 1:2500 on A4 waterproof paper. There is no space for a legend on the map so a copy will be available at registration/download. Control descriptions will be printed on the front of the map, pictorial for Long and Short, text for Easy.
Clothing. Please wear appropriate footwear; your choice may be coloured by the fact that in places grass areas are currently extremely wet. Shorts may be worn.
Entries. Pre-entry will be via SiEntries once we have permission confirmed. Adults £7, Juniors £3. If you are new to orienteering and would prefer to go round as a group just enter one person and use the option to select any additional maps the groups would like at £1 each. If you do not have your own dibber these will be provided at no charge, £30 if not returned; to pre-order, leave the SI number blank during the online entry process, and then collect dibber from Enquiries/Download on the day.
Controls & Punching. Controls will be hung on trees, benches etc, sometimes with a stake sometimes just secured to the feature. SportIdent punching will be used for the event. Controls will be enabled for contactless punching for those with SIAC cards. The start and finish will need to be punched manually by everyone. If you don’t have your own dibber these will be provided on the day.
Facilities. Toilet TBA. Tea, coffee and other small refreshments may be available.
Safety. First aid on a DIY basis will be at Assembly. A comprehensive risk assessment has been prepared for this event by the organiser. Participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event. The nearest A&E is at Cumberland Infirmary. The nearest defibrillator is within the Park.
General. Please be aware of and courteous to other users of the park, particularly young children who may be in or around the play areas. There may be dog walkers and cyclists in the park. Dogs welcome.
Membership. If you are not a member of Border Liners do consider joining our club. Membership details are here.
Acknowledgements. Border Liners would like to thank Carlisle City Council for permission to use the park.
Planners/organiser. Keith Tonkin, Christine Kiddier & Jo Rodham, Border Liners, email keithATcoria.co.uk. British Orienteering registered event 87622.
Parkrun. If you are really keen you could also take on Carlisle’s Parkrun at Morton (Chances) Park beforehand. In winter this is a 5 lap course within the park.
Border Liners Orienteering Club 