Moneta Sleet Jr. Park in Owensboro has been added to the Kentucky African American Heritage Trail, bringing new attention to the legacy of one of Owensboro’s most notable historical figures.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday that the Owensboro park was among 10 new sites added to the trail, which was first unveiled in June 2025 to highlight African Americans’ contributions to Kentucky and the nation.
“Black history is American history. Black history is Kentucky history. These new locations recognize these important stories and the contributions of brave African Americans who shaped who we are today,” Beshear said. “Whether you are a visitor or a lifelong Kentuckian, these sites have something for everyone and shine a light on our history while boosting tourism and local economies in the process.”
For local advocates, the announcement marks another milestone in a broader effort to honor Moneta Sleet Jr., the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and Owensboro native whose work captured key moments in American history.
Emmy Woosley, chair of the Moneta Sleet Jr. Festival, said the designation builds on work that has taken place over the past two years, including the renaming of the park and the addition of educational panels about Sleet’s life and legacy.
“I just think it’s so incredible that somebody from Owensboro had such a big impact on American history,” Woosley said. “And that park is geared toward families. You have a playground, it has a basketball court that’s specifically got goals for youth, and then the panels that we have that tell Sleet’s life and legacy, they’re geared towards families.”
Woosley said the park’s name change happened in 2024, following the conception of the Moneta Sleet Jr. Festival. She said members of the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance approached the city about renaming the park because it sits adjacent to where Sleet grew up.
The park had previously been named for former city manager Max Rhodes. Woosley said local leaders reached out to the Rhodes family before the change, and the family supported the effort.
Buckner, who was serving as president of the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance during that process, said the recognition is especially meaningful because Owensboro was not included when the trail was first announced.
“I’m just excited, happy, and overjoyed for Mr. Sleet and his family to get this recognition,” Buckner said. “I was a little disappointed when Kentucky initially announced the sites … and Owensboro originally wasn’t on there.”
That omission led to a renewed local push.
Woosley said Kentucky Tourism opened a call for additional nominations in Fall 2025, and she and several community leaders advocated for submitting Moneta Sleet Jr. Park for consideration. The application included letters of support from local leaders and information about the park’s interpretive panels and community significance.
Buckner said the effort reflected work from a number of people and groups, including the Moneta Sleet Jr. Festival, the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance, Leadership Owensboro, and local supporters who had been advocating for more recognition of Sleet’s legacy.
“It’s a long time coming,” Buckner said.
He said the park’s inclusion gives Owensboro more visibility as travelers search for heritage destinations and family-friendly places to visit.
“It absolutely adds to that,” Buckner said. “You’ve got a lot of people that use different apps on their phones, and when they come in town for conventions and stuff like that, you know, everybody’s kind of looking. You do your usual touristy stuff, but I think sometimes you’re looking for something off of the beaten path.”
Buckner said the park now offers both recreational and educational value, with story panels that help visitors learn about Sleet while using the space.
“If you’re in for a baseball or basketball tournament and trying to do something educational, you say, ‘Hey, well, let’s run down here to this park,’ and because it does have the panels, and you can look at a lot of the pictures, and it tells Sleet’s story,” Buckner said.
Woosley said the family-centered setting is part of what makes the designation meaningful.
“I just think this is another great way for families, and specifically children in our community, to realize that just because you’re from Owensboro doesn’t mean you can’t do big, incredible things, like Moneta Sleet did,” she said.
Buckner also said those involved in the renaming effort wanted to be respectful of the park’s former namesake and appreciated the Rhodes family’s support. He noted that Max Rhodes is still recognized within the park through a plaque sharing his story.
State officials said the Kentucky African American Heritage Trail was created to blend historical accuracy with cultural richness while reconnecting residents and visitors with Kentucky’s history. The trail is spearheaded by the Kentucky Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Heritage Council.
“These trail additions each play a significant role in elevating Kentucky’s African American heritage,” Kentucky Tourism Commissioner Mike Mangeot said. “Through the trail, we are creating authentic and meaningful experiences for visitors while preserving our history for generations to come.”
Woosley said she hopes the park’s addition to the trail will introduce more people to Sleet’s story and bring more visitors to Owensboro.
“I’m just hopeful that by Kentucky Tourism honoring Sleet Park on this trail, more people are going to learn about Sleet and then hopefully come to Owensboro and visit us and see and learn more about all the great things that we have in Owensboro to offer,” she said.
