OPINION ISSUED APRIL 30, 1986

NAOMI A. CLARK
VS.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

(CC-85-290)

Claimant appeared in person.
Robert D. Pollitt, Assistant Attorney General, for respondent.

PER CURIAM:

On July 28, 1985, in a designated parking spot at Beech Fork
Campground, claimant's 1977
Ford LTD was vandalized. The four tires were slashed, and the radiator
and oil filter were
damaged. The automobile, which is titled in Tennessee solely in
claimant's name, was clearly
visible from claimant's camp site. The incident occurred sometime after
12:00 midnight. The
repairs to claimant's automobile amounted to $574.30.

Claimant testified that she and a friend were camping with her dog. The
dog barked at one
point, but neither claimant nor her companion arose at that time. The
following morning claimant
discovered the damage to her vehicle. The camp sites on either side of
claimant's camp site were
not occupied that evening.

Steven Bolar, park superintendent of Beech Fork State Park, testified
that entrance to the
park is gained through one central booth. The gate remains open until
10:00 p.m. After 10:00,
only those people who are camping are permitted into the park. That is
the only access by
vehicle. There is access by means of the woods surrounding the park. At
4:00 a.m. on July 28,
1985, individuals inquired about the whereabouts of claimant and her
companion's camping site.
After being refused entrance to the park, they sent a note to claimant's
trailer, allegedly of an
emergency. Neither claimant nor her companion responded to the message.
Mr. Bolar stated
that park attendants had been through the area in which claimant was
camping six times on July
28 and found no trouble. There are four thousand acres on the State Park.

The record in this case fails to disclose any negligence on the part of
respondent. Beech Fork
State Park was properly patrolled on the evening in question, and
unauthorized persons were
denied entry to the park area after 10:00 p.m. No negligence on the part
of the respondent was
established; therefore, the claim must be denied.

Claim disallowed.

___________