Vermont State Parks

To all our friends and loyal followers of Vermont State Parks, I bid you farewell as I retire from the best job on the planet, Director of your Vermont State Parks. Change is hard but it is also exciting and inspiring. Our team here has never been stronger having been through a tremendous effort designing a way to offer state park services so that you and our staff are safe and healthy during this pandemic. And never before have I sensed a greater appreciation for the value of being outdoors with our friends and families than right now. It is exactly what we all need to manage our way through these times. I am proud to have had a part in making your parks available for you this season. Looking forward to a strong recovery on the “other side” of the pandemic, this is an ideal time for a transition in the organization. Our future is bright given the increased interest in outdoor recreation in general and the tremendous support for parks in the state legislature and administration up to a...

  The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) today announced that long-time State Parks Director Craig Whipple is retiring. “Under Craig’s leadership, our world-class state park system has expanded, modernized, and become more accessible,” said Michael Snyder, Commissioner of Vermont Forests, Parks, and Recreation, the department that oversees Vermont State Parks. “And even as Craig leaves behind such enormous running shoes to fill, we’re looking ahead to the next generation of leadership to build on Craig’s successes, and we’ll soon be announcing an active recruitment process to fill the position. On behalf of our department, our employees and volunteers, and all Vermonters and visitors who value our state parks, I thank Craig for his many years of outstanding service and congratulate him on a retirement well earned.” During his 14 years as Director of State Parks, Whipple was instrumental in creating many programs that have increased access to the parks, includi...