Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Pickleball topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Stonebrook residents press council to remove pickleball lines at Rainier Trails Park
Summary
Stonebrook neighbors told the Enumclaw City Council on April 27 they have endured daily pickleball noise since lines were added in May 2025 and asked the council to restore Rainier Trails Park to tennis-only use; council members favored waiting until new Garrett Park courts open May 18 to see whether play shifts.
Residents of the Stonebrook neighborhood asked the Enumclaw City Council on April 27 to remove pickleball striping at Rainier Trails Park, saying daily play has created persistent noise for homes located about 30 feet from the court.
"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," said Richard Gardine, speaking for Stonebrook neighbors. He said the lines were added in May 2025 and that residents have since experienced significant noise and disruption.
The request followed a parks-board recommendation to remove the pickleball lines and was raised earlier in the Community Services Committee. Several council members said they sympathized with nearby residents but urged patience until resurfacing and new court capacity at Garrett Park come online.
"We're gonna have seven courts at Garrett. It's going to allow the group actually all to play all at once, but it's going to be a proper facility," Council Member Storton said, adding, "I'm personally ... I don't see a reason why the lines at Rainier Trails shouldn't be removed," while stopping short of an immediate directive.
Other council members raised fiscal concerns about paying to strip lines from an existing court. "I think it's kind of, wasteful that we're now spending tax dollars to remove lines," a council member said, urging the city to wait and see whether play shifts to the new facility rather than paying to remove lines immediately.
Nut graf: The dispute reflects competing priorities for small-city parks: nearby residents seek relief from persistent noise, while city staff and some council members want to avoid reactive spending and see whether planned investments in dedicated pickleball courts at Garrett Park (resurfacing expected to begin May 18) will change usage patterns.
Council next steps: Council members agreed to discuss the issue again on May 18 to review Garrett Park progress and any new information from staff. No formal vote or directive to remove the lines was taken at the April 27 meeting.
