Henderson Daily Dispatch

BY LYNX XISBIT.

Raleigh, June 12.-North Carolina's state parks are drawing more people this year than ever before. Morrow Mountain park in Stanly county and Hanging Rock Park in Stokes, the two with more adequate activities for picnickers and sightseers-had about 2,500 visitors each last Sunday. According to official estimates Mt. Mitchell Park is pretty well shut off by road construction work, but still a good many visitors manage to get to it.

First traces of rhododendron blossoms in the mountains are bringing thousands of tourists. More than three thousand visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains national park were counted one day last week. In addition to long distance travelers short tours and hiking trips from Asheville and other central points
epidemic of whooping cough and some other states where polio is approaching epidemic stage seriously menacing some of the mountain children's camps. A proposed special train load of Florida youngsters to this Hendersonville area has been cancelled or at least postponed, on account of the scare. However demand for picnic trips other sections is expected to keep most of the camps operating at capacity throughout the summer.

The Cliffs on the Neuse park near Goldsboro, only state park in the central east part of the state now has a full time man in charge but facilities are inadequate for large crowds or overnight parties.

Reports indicate the state's becoming increasingly popular for small local groups on one-day outings.