KINGSTON — Now that the Kingston Parks, Trails and Open Space committee has created a solid foundation for the Little City by the Sea’s trail network, it hopes to recognize the main water features that are within those same recreation areas.

KPTOS committee member Karl Compton is spearheading an effort to name some of the major unlabeled creeks within the Kingston Urban Growth area — two located in the South Kingston neighborhood, two just south of the estuary near West Kingston Road, one that is an offshoot of Carpenter Creek, one near the Kingston skate park and one through the Public Utility District trails, off Ohio Avenue.

Accomplishing this will enhance the community’s sense of identity and work as a tool to protect and restore the streams, Compton said.

“We, as a committee, recognized that we had these seven year-round streams and they are small and humble and they are unnamed,” he said. “Not only are they unnamed but some are not on the maps.”

The group must go through a state application process in order to officially name the streams, Compton said, noting the state supports the general idea of naming geographic features if they will enhance a community’s identity or help protect or restore a feature.

“So our thoughts are in alignment with what the state’s concept is,” he added.

Before it sends the application in September, the committee will first seek community input. The project was first revealed to the public at the Kingston Town meeting Feb. 23 and was well received, Compton said.

While many liked the idea, he said some asked “Why bother?”

Many of the area streams had been dammed or piped over and damaged because residents believed they were ditches, Compton said, when in fact, they are actually year-round streams.

“Each one would kind of add to the quality of that particular neighborhood,” he said.

The committee also wants information from tribal members and longtime residents of the area who can help explain the creeks’ history. Compton has already heard several interesting stories of how some of the streams were nicknamed and used by residents.

To make suggestions or share history, attend the KPTOS meeting at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month (March 6) at the Kingston Community Center; drop it off at the KPTOS box in the community center; or mail it to KPTOS, P.O. Box 1328, Kingston, WA 98346.