John Cooper, Former Superintendent of Clarksburg's Park System, has Amp Stage Named in His Honor
By Jeff Toquinto on August 27, 2024
A little more than a year ago, one of the longest public servants in Harrison County’s history stepped down. It was on June 30, 2023, that long-time City of Clarksburg Park Superintendent John Cooper spent the last day on the job.
Cooper’s four-decade-plus presence helped Clarksburg’s park system become one of the best in West Virginia. During that time, many attractions from the heavily used Mayor’s Fitness Trail, the Clarksburg Splash Pad, and the Clarksburg Amphitheater arrived under his
guidance.
guidance.
Earlier this summer, officials with Parks Board of Commissioners and others involved with the city, were on hand to recognize Cooper for his years of service at a gathering at his signature project – the Clarksburg Amphitheater. During the gathering, Cooper received a surprise.
Officials announced the renaming of the stage at the facility. It will now be the John “Coop” Cooper Stage at the amphitheater. A banner was displayed at the event for Cooper with family and friends present.
According to the new Director of City Parks of Clarksburg Doug Comer, there will eventually be a permanent fixture at the top of the face on the main stage at the amphitheater. Comer said it as an honor well deserved.
“Forty-plus years of service in this line of work is amazing,” said Comer. “The footprint of success he left for the City of Clarksburg and the surrounding area is a big one. This is a small token showing the appreciation for his longevity, and the manner in which he did his work on behalf of the City of Clarksburg.”
Editor’s Note: Shown with the banner is, from left, John Angiulli, President of the Parks Board of Commissioners, and Doug Comer.
