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Stonebrook residents urge Enumclaw to remove pickleball lines at Rainier Trails Park
Summary
Neighbors told the council that pickleball lines added in May 2025 at Rainier Trails Park generate daily summer noise for homes as close as about 30 feet. The parks board recommended removing the lines; several council members said they prefer to wait until new courts at Garrett Park are completed before altering existing courts.
Residents and council members clashed over how to handle a long-running noise dispute at Rainier Trails Park, where pickleball lines were added in May 2025.
“I want to be clear that we are not opposed to pickleball,” Stonebrook resident Richard Gardine told the council during public comment, “however, we are concerned about the location of the court at Rainier Trails Park where pickleball lines were added in May 2025.” Gardine said players now use the court daily during summer months and that some homes sit as close as 30 feet from the play area.
Gardine told council the parks board recently passed a motion to remove the pickleball lines and said funding is available to restore the court to tennis-only use this year.
Council members divided on how quickly to act. Council member Storton, who said she lives in the neighborhood and plays pickleball, supported removing the lines if Garrett Park’s planned seven-court facility is available as an alternative: “As long as Garrett is there, ... I don't see a reason why the lines at Rainier Trails shouldn't be removed.”
Other council members urged caution. One member said the city should resurface and open Garrett Park first and then reassess Rainier Trails once usage patterns emerge. Council member Kevin Orsut called the idea of paying to remove lines “wasteful,” but said he would agree to wait for the Garrett Park work to be completed rather than make an immediate change.
The council did not take formal action but asked staff to continue the conversation and scheduled further discussion for the May 18 meeting. Staff and committee members also discussed timing for new courts at Garrett Park and possible additional courts at other sites, and emphasized trying to avoid making a change that would leave players without a proper facility.
What happens next: The council will revisit the item on May 18 and may decide whether to remove lines at Rainier Trails or wait until the Garrett Park resurfacing and new courts come online.
