Sanders Park picked as destination for online state tourism promotion

A life-sized bronze statue of Col. Harland Sanders was unveiled at Sanders Park last August.

A downtown Corbin park dedicated to Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Colonel Harland Sanders is being highlighted by the Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism as one of 99 places in Kentucky tourists should visit.

The effort, called “99 days of summer” is an interactive calendar on the Department of Travel and Tourism’s website (www.kentuckytourism.com) that provides travel suggestions within the state. Sanders Park is on that list.

The calendar includes pictures, event listings and detailed information about each destination. Suggestions began May 30.

Examples include “cooling off at a Kentucky State Park pool or beach, finding the perfect fishing hole along the western Kentucky waterways, touring a horse farm or enjoying a cook out with Kentucky Proud products.”

Maggy Kriebel, Director of Tourism in Corbin, said she’s excited that Sander’s Park is being promoted in such a way.

“There’s a reason every single day to come to Kentucky. There’s a lot to do here,” Kriebel said. “I’m very pleased Sanders Park is being featured in this statewide initiative. We want to encourage everyone to come to downtown Corbin and get their picture taken with the life-sized statue of the man himself, Colonel Sanders.”

Sander’s Park was officially completed last August with the unveiling of its centerpiece — a life-sized, bronze statue of Harland Sanders. Improvements to the park, however, continue.

Kriebel said she wants to add a series of informational plaques in the park for the benefit of tourists.

The Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission, primarily responsible for funding to build the park, is working on a partnership with the original KFC franchise located in Corbin to help better promote the park. Kriebel said she hopes to eventually have an information, interactive digital kiosk in the restaurant about the park.

Alternately, she said she like to work with the restaurant on an ambassadors program where volunteers would work to encourage visitors to the restaurant to go the short distance into downtown Corbin to see the park and statue.

“There’s definitely opportunities there, it’s just a matter of time and resources to get that implemented,” Kriebel said.

Kristen Branscum, Commissioner of Kentucky’s Department of Travel and Tourism, said the “99 Days of Summer” campaign is designed to allow people to maximize their vacation time in the state.

“The ideas for 99 Days of Summer are daily snapshots that include some of the wonderful things to do in Kentucky this summer,” Branscum said. “We realize that summer days are limited in number and we want to help you make the most of your summer vacation. We’ve highlighted everything from festivals to water activities to museums and truly have something for everyone.”