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Stonebrook neighbors urge removal of Rainier Trails pickleball lines; council opts to wait until new courts are ready
Summary
Stonebrook residents told the Enumclaw City Council that pickleball lines added at Rainier Trails Park have produced persistent noise for nearby homes; the council agreed to revisit the parks board recommendation but delayed removal until the Garrett Park courts are resurfaced and the city evaluates alternative facilities.
Residents of the Stonebrook neighborhood asked the Enumclaw City Council on April 27 to remove pickleball lines added last year at Rainier Trails Park, saying daily play produces disruptive noise for properties as close as roughly 30 feet.
"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," Richard Gardine told the council during the public-comment period, adding that neighbors have sought a council-level solution and were informed funding is available for court resurfacing.
The request followed a parks-board motion to remove the pickleball lines and the Stonebrook residents’ appeal that the lines be restored to tennis only when resurfacing occurs. Councilmembers described competing concerns: some emphasized resident complaints about noise and proximity to homes, while others urged fiscal caution and patience until alternative, dedicated pickleball courts are open.
"I was very much in favor of the lines when they were added last year... and yes, it was really, really noisy," said one councilmember who lives in the neighborhood and identified personal experience with local use, while other councilmembers said they did not want to remove public amenities before replacement courts were available.
Council discussion repeatedly pointed to the planned resurfacing and expansion at Garrett Park, where the city expects seven proper courts and a more suitable facility. Several councilmembers said they preferred to wait until the Garrett Park improvements are completed and use patterns can be observed before directing line removal at Rainier Trails.
Councilmember comments also flagged the cost of removing lines and the optics of using public funds to reverse a prior change, but the conversation ended with councilmembers agreeing to discuss the issue again at a May 18 committee meeting, after resurfacing work on the new courts is underway.
What happens next: The council scheduled additional discussion for its May 18 committee meeting to review the parks board recommendation, monitor Garrett Park progress and consider options for mitigating noise and access for both tennis and pickleball users.
