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Council approves temporary 'tennis only' sign at Rainier Trails Park after debate over pickleball
Summary
After debate over parking, noise and enforceability, the Enumclaw City Council approved a temporary sign encouraging tennis-only use at Rainier Trails Park and directing pickleball players to nearby resurfaced courts, with staff to install the sign and reevaluate after one month.
Council members voted to place a temporary sign at Rainier Trails Park that asks users to "please limit use to tennis" and to direct pickleball players to nearby, newly resurfaced courts.
Council member Smith moved the measure, saying, “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,” arguing the sign would help steer players to the larger Dwight Garrett courts. Council members discussed the motion at length, raising concerns about noise, parking and whether the sign could be enforced.
The mayor cautioned that the sign would be non‑enforceable without codified park rules, saying the restriction would be "not enforceable by law enforcement because you're you've not codified it." Parks and Recreation Director Alina Hibbs and other staff said a temporary sign could be installed quickly while staff monitors how the newly resurfaced courts affect use and complaints.
Opponents asked whether placing a sign could create expectations the city could not meet — for example, by prompting residents to demand enforcement of parking or noise — and asked that the sign language avoid implying a legal restriction. Supporters said a temporary, invitational sign and outreach to the pickleball group would reduce tension while alternative courts become available.
The motion to place a temporary sign, using staff-suggested verbiage that welcomes tennis and directs pickleball players to alternate facilities, passed (no detailed roll-call was recorded in the transcript). Staff said they would install a temporary sign and return with observations for possible further action.
