Stonebrook neighbors press council to remove Rainier Trails pickleball lines; council prefers to wait for new Garrett Park courts

Richard Gardine, speaking for Stonebrook neighbors, told the council the addition of pickleball lines at Rainier Trails Park in May 2025 has produced daily play and significant noise for properties as close as 30 feet from the courts. Gardine said the parks board passed a motion to remove the pickleball lines and asked the council to discuss a restoration of the court to tennis-only use.

"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 have made repeated efforts to find solutions.

Council committee and council members discussed options. Council member Storton, who lives in the neighborhood and plays pickleball, said that with a new, properly configured seven-court facility planned at Garrett Park, "I don't see a reason why the lines at Rainier Trails shouldn't be removed" once the new courts are available. Other council members favored waiting until the Garrett Park resurfacing and new courts are open to see whether playing patterns shift before expending funds to remove painted lines.

Council members also raised fiscal concerns about paying to remove lines and urged patience until the new facility comes online; one member described removal as a likely expense the council would pass through the budget process if approved. The council directed staff to revisit the topic and discuss it at the next meeting on May 18.

Outcome: No formal council action to remove lines was taken tonight. Council asked staff to return with options after Garrett Park surfacing begins.