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

Enumclaw — The city council on May 26 voted to place a temporary sign at Rainier Trails Park encouraging tennis-only play and directing pickleball players to nearby Dwight Garrett courts as a short-term step to reduce neighborhood conflicts.

Councilmember Smith moved the measure and Councilmember Swarden seconded; after extended discussion about parking, noise complaints and the sign’s enforceability the mayor called the voice vote and the motion passed. Councilmember Smith said, “So I make a motion to ask the council to implement a sign for Rainier Trails Park that indicates this is a tennis only court,” framing the measure as an informational, not regulatory, step.

The sign is temporary and intended to nudge users toward the newly resurfaced Dwight Garrett courts, which council members noted have restroom facilities and more space. Staff and council repeatedly emphasized that a simple sign would not create a codified restriction. One councilmember warned, “I just wanna be clear that this is not enforceable. It's more instructive to people,” and recommended language that encourages use of the alternative site rather than asserting a legal prohibition.

Debate centered on several recurring concerns: residents’ emails and a letter from an HOA raised noise and parking complaints, council members noted reported instances of public urination near the courts, and some argued the city could be pressed later to change parking or other policies if restrictions were implied. Councilmember Smith and others discussed offering a temporary sign for immediate relief and re-evaluating policy if problems persist.

Council directed staff to produce temporary signage with language encouraging tennis use and providing directions to the alternate courts; staff also agreed to consult with local user groups about striping and prior expenses. The council did not codify any new park regulations at the meeting; any enforceable restriction would require a separate ordinance or policy change.

Next steps: administration will arrange temporary signage and report back if the temporary approach fails to reduce complaints or if council asks staff to pursue a permanent or codified solution.