Council approves temporary 'tennis‑only' sign at Rainier Trails Park after debate over pickleball use

The Enumclaw City Council voted to place a temporary sign at Rainier Trails Park encouraging the court’s use for tennis and directing pickleball players to nearby Dwight Garrett courts.

Councilmember Goodman Frazier moved to place the sign and said, “So I make a motion to ask the council to implement a sign for Rainier Trails Park.” The motion was seconded and spurred an extended discussion about parking, noise complaints and whether a sign without codified restrictions would create legal obligations.

City staff and the city administrator cautioned that a noncodified sign would be non‑enforceable. As the city administrator put it during discussion, “this is not enforceable,” adding that restricting a court by ordinance would require a separate legal process. Several council members proposed a temporary encouraging sign to be evaluated after a short trial rather than immediate codification.

Supporters said a temporary sign would help steer play to the newly resurfaced Dwight Garrett courts, relieving pressure on the smaller neighborhood court. Opponents warned that posting a restrictive message that cannot be enforced could create community tensions and lead to calls for additional restrictions or reimbursements for prior investments in striping.

Council voted in favor of placing the temporary sign by voice vote. Staff was directed to design sign verbiage that encourages tennis use and provides directions to the alternate courts, and to bring the item back for reassessment after the trial period.

The decision is instructional only—city officials emphasized it does not change park regulations and will not provide a legal enforcement mechanism unless the council later adopts a codified restriction following the required regulatory process.