Community Spotlight: Jim Fitzpatrick’s Summer of State Parks
- Vermont Parks Forever
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
When Jim Fitzpatrick decides to do something, he doesn’t do it halfway.
Having (mostly) retired from a rewarding career as a teacher, high-school principal, and entrepreneur, Jim was in-need of a new project. In the summer of 2021, he found himself drawn to another worthy challenge: finally visiting every state park in Vermont—that’s 55 of them—in a single season.
Green Mountain Passport in-hand, Jim checked off a few parks he already knew well, then got busy and by the end of the summer had completed his challenge.
A few notes from Jim’s summer of state parks:
Biggest surprise about Vermont State Parks?
All of the buildings and structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In fact, the CCC had a huge impact on many of our parks and left behind some incredible structures (and infrastructure). Learn more at Vermont State Parks, and also at Living New Deal, a project Jim came across in his research.
Most remote-feeling Vermont state park?
Kettle Pond. “That whole network in the Groton State Forest has a very special feel to it, and Kettle Pond in particular felt so removed from the everyday.”
Best common feature of Vermont State Parks?
The people working there. Jim recounted that no matter which park he visited the staff was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and as excited to be at the park as he was. He really enjoyed speaking with everyone he met along the way.
So what inspired this summer adventure? Jim has always understood and respected the impact a state park can have, having grown up just a few blocks from Branbury State Park. He spent many a summer day at Lake Dunmore, setting the stage for a lifelong appreciation of everything the parks can provide.
If he could share one takeaway from his adventures, Jim says simply this: “Use Vermont’s state parks! We have a gem here. Visit them!”
Do you have an inspiration story about Vermont State Parks? We’d love to hear it.
Find out if you qualify for a Green Mountain Passport:
Jim Fitzpatrick is an educator, entrepreneur, public speaker, Vermont Parks Forever donor, and lifelong Vermonter.
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