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Neighbors urge removal of pickleball lines at Rainier Trails; council to wait for new Garrett Park courts
Summary
Neighbors and the parks committee urged removal of pickleball striping at Rainier Trails Park because of daily noise; several council members said they prefer to wait until new dedicated courts at Garrett Park are resurfaced (expected May 18) before removing lines.
Residents urged the Enumclaw City Council on April 27 to remove pickleball striping at Rainier Trails Park, saying daily play has created persistent noise issues for properties immediately adjacent to the court.
Richard Gardine, speaking for Stonebrook neighbors, said the group is not opposed to pickleball but asked the council to restore the Rainier Trails court to tennis-only use because of ongoing noise impacts. "We want to be clear that we are not opposed to pickleball. However, we are concerned about the location of the court at Rainier Trails Park… the impact on nearby residents is significant," Gardine said, noting residents live as close as roughly 30 feet from the court.
Council members and staff recapped recent committee action: the parks board recommended removing the pickleball lines, and funding is reportedly available to restore the court. Council member Koopman Frater said CSC discussed removing the lines but suggested waiting until the new Garrett Park courts are resurfaced and lined so players have an alternative place to go. "We kind of wanted to wait to remove the lines, or resurface the court until the new pickleball courts are done," Koopman Frater said. Several members said they favored that compromise.
Council member Storton, who said he lives in the neighborhood and plays pickleball, supported removing lines once Garrett Park is available; other members raised concerns about the expense of removing lines immediately and whether taxpayers should shoulder that cost. Council directed staff to continue the conversation and revisit the item at the May 18 meeting, after Garrett Park work begins.
