Name the parks along Thornton Creek

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites the public to submit potential names for four separate areas of park land in the Thornton Creek watershed. Here’s the press release. Suggestions are due by 3/3/2011.

The parks to be named are:

• Park #1: This park site is adjacent to the Jackson Park Golf course to the west. It is bordered by NE 130th St. to the south and 10th Ave. NE to the west. It follows the creek northeasterly toward NE Brockman Pl. It is predominantly a wooded ravine providing rich wildlife habitat on the North Branch of Thornton Creek.
• Park #2: This large assemblage of properties follows the South Branch of Thornton Creek southeasterly from approximately 15th Ave. NE and NE 105th St. to NE 98th St. west of 20th Ave. NE. There are formal access points at NE 102nd St. and 17th Ave. NE and at NE 104th and 17th Sts. NE, as well as two areas along NE 100th St. The park features viewpoints, wetlands, and an abundant wildlife habitat.
• Park #6: This park consists of several contiguous parcels located near the Northgate Community Center and continues northeasterly into the Maple Leaf neighborhood. It is bordered by NE 103rd St. and NE 107th St. to the south and north and by 5th Ave. NE to the west and Roosevelt Way NE to the east. The park includes the South Branch of Thornton Creek, wooded areas, wetlands, and several trails. Visitors will see a wide variety of wildlife including an active beaver pond. There are several major access points located at the southerly end of the park, on NE 105th St. and at the corner of NE 106th St. and 9th Ave. NE.
• Thornton Creek Natural Area: Ravenna Ave: This park is just east of Lake City Way between Fischer Pl. NE and Ravenna Ave. NE, north of NE 100th St. to approximately NE 103rd St. Access to the park is from Fischer Pl. NE, at the north side of the Shutter Shop parking lot, along the fence. This site was once a diary operated by the Blindheim family and is now a natural area that includes the confluence of Willow Creek and the South Branch of Thornton Creek. There has been a focus on restoration and stewardship of the creek and the native vegetation in this area.