Jack Cooper was born in 1905 in Hindmarsh SA, his family lived in Lower Light before moving to Keswick where Jack's father Fredrick ran a dairy and milk round. Fredrick did not do well with the dairy and ended up enlisting for WW1. His father returned sick from the war and the family decided to move to Gawler in 1917 where Jack went to Gawler Primary School for two years. In 1925 Jack started collecting milk in Evanston Gardens, taking over the business in 1931. He continued with the milk collecting run for 44 years, he was also involved in community affairs and continued as Secretary in the Evanston Gardens Progress Association after his retirement to Gawler in 1969.
This reserve is tucked away in the Coopers Rise estate, surrounded by farmland, rich history and a friendly community. The very busy Jack Cooper Drive runs along the other side of the reserve. There's lots of people walking their dogs and even going for walks at all hours through the reseve. There never seems to be water at the reserve, you'd be lucky to see a duck there.