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Council approves temporary 'tennis-only' sign at Rainier Trails Park amid pickleball complaints
Summary
After debate about enforceability, Enumclaw councilors voted to place a temporary sign at Rainier Trails Park encouraging tennis-only use and directing pickleball players to nearby Dwight Garrett courts. The sign is intended as a trial while resurfaced courts come online and the city monitors complaints.
Enumclaw — The Enumclaw City Council voted May 26 to place a temporary sign at Rainier Trails Park asking users to limit the court to tennis and directing pickleball players to the newly resurfaced Dwight Garrett courts.
Council member (S6) moved to place a sign at Rainier Trails Park; the motion was seconded by Council member (S3) and carried after discussion. The sign language will be instructive rather than regulatory, and staff will pursue a temporary installation while the city evaluates whether additional measures are needed.
Council members who supported the motion said the sign is a low-cost, immediate step to reduce friction between neighbors and court users while the newly resurfaced courts are brought online. Council member (S6) said the motion was an attempt to “lower the temperature” in town amid increased neighborhood complaints about noise and parking. Council member (S3) and others urged outreach to local pickleball groups and clear directions on the sign to help redirect play to parks with more space and restroom facilities.
Opponents cautioned that a sign without codified authority cannot be enforced and might create future expectations that the city would restrict use; Council member (S4) asked whether the city would be legally obligated to take further action after posting signage. A staff member (S12) told council that placing an encouraging or directional sign does not, by itself, create a new legal duty and that the city lacks police or code-enforcement authority to remove players from a court absent codified rules.
The council agreed to a temporary sign to be installed quickly while monitoring complaints and usage; if issues persist, members discussed options including outreach, revising park rules, reimbursement for stripe removal if courts are later restricted, or codifying restrictions as a formal ordinance.
The temporary sign motion passed (recorded as passed in council minutes). Next steps include staff coordination with parks and the city’s outreach to local recreational groups to evaluate the trial.
