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

Residents of the Stonebrook neighborhood told the Enumclaw City Council on April 27 that the addition of pickleball lines at Rainier Trails Park has produced daily summer noise that affects properties as close as 30 feet from the courts.

“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, reading a written statement on behalf of Stonebrook neighbors. He said the group has pursued remedies since June 2025, that the parks board voted to remove the pickleball lines, and that funding is available to restore the court to tennis only.

Parks Director Aliyah Hibbs noted the city has funding and described upcoming projects, including resurfacing work at Garrett Park. Council members were split: Council member Storton, who lives in the neighborhood and plays pickleball, said he supports removing Rainier Trails lines once Garrett Park and other planned courts are available. “I will go on the record and say that I'm personally… I don't see a reason why the lines at Rainier Trails shouldn't be removed,” Storton said.

Other council members said they preferred to wait until the seven courts at Garrett are open and use data about how play shifts before removing lines and paying to remove them. “Fiscally trying to be responsible with tax dollars… I think it's kind of wasteful that we're now spending tax dollars to remove lines,” one council member said.

Council asked staff to place the topic on the May 18 agenda for further discussion after the Garrett Park resurfacing work starts.