The Washington State Board on Geographic Names on May 11 approved names of seven Kingston creeks that flow into Appletree Cove, proposed by the Kingston Parks, Trails and Open Space Committee.

The creek names were selected from suggestions submitted to the committee and put to a community vote. The names also had to meet state naming guidelines.

Karl Compton of KPTOS got the naming effort underway as a way to enhance community awareness and appreciation of the streams. The project also led to the unearthing of some of Kingston’s heritage and history.

“We are very proud of the community effort to name our Kingston streams,” Compton responded. “The people’s suggestions, research and participation was wonderful and showed great Kingston spirit and community pride. Our modest little streams are important aspects of the Kingston community and will, now that they have been given official names, be better appreciated and enjoyed by all of us.

“The official names will help raise awareness and appreciation for how important the streams are to our community as we grow in the future. The community has done well to make Kingston a better place for future generations of people and wildlife to enjoy. Thank you, Kingston, for your support at protecting our natural resources and promoting our cultural and historical heritage!”

The creek names approved are (numbers correspond with the map here):

#1 Newellhurst Creek

#2 Osier Creek

#3 Kingfisher Creek

#4 Crabapple Creek

#5 Fukuzawa Creek

#6 Kingston Creek

#7 Whisper Creek

Though it’s unknown how long it will be until the creek names begin appearing on official maps, the documentation and historical information collected from the project will be archived with the Kingston Historical Society.

The next step for the trails committee is to apply to the county for brown signs identifying those creeks that cross under county roads and property. The committee will work with Stillwaters Environmental Education Center and local tribes to help obtain signs for other creeks.