What’s in a name? That’s up to community residents and visitors to decide by Dec. 1 when they cast their vote for the best of 10 names submitted by Gearhart Elementary School students for a new trail.

The trail is adjacent to Gearhart Ocean State Recreation Area at Little Beach. Park officials worked with the city to create the trail, which begins on the beach north of the shorebird conservation area and far enough away to avoid disturbing shorebird nesting near the Necanicum Estuary.

Brian Fowler, state parks visitors services coordinator, visited Gearhart Elementary in October to challenge second- to fifth-grade students to name the trail. Later, he led six classes from the school on a field trip to the trail for a nature walk.

Because of the students’ proximity to the school, the state parks department and city officials decided the students were the perfect candidates to take ownership of the trail, Fowler said.

“It was great fun to meet with the kids and teachers at Gearhart Elementary,” Fowler said. “We challenged them to come up with names, and they came through in a big way.”

From 31 entries, park and recreation officials and City Council members narrowed them down to the top 10 choices, based on how they related to local, natural and geographic resources and their appeal. Community members can pick their favorite potential name from the following list:

•Watch, Listen and See Trail

• Sandy Shores Trail

• Whispering Footprints Trail

• Tippy Toe Trail

• Beachway Trail

• Grass-Sea Trail

• Critter Beach Walk

• Eagle View Trail

• Birdy Beach Trail

• Dune Ridge Trail

The winner will be announced at the school at a date to be determined and given a special memento from the department and the city.

To vote on a name, go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/gearhart_trail. The survey will be open at least until Dec. 1.