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Council approves temporary ‘tennis only’ sign at Rainier Trails Park after debate over pickleball use
Summary
After extended debate over enforceability, parking and alternatives, the council voted to place temporary signage encouraging tennis-only use at Rainier Trails Park and direct players to newly resurfaced courts elsewhere.
Enumclaw’s City Council on May 26 approved a motion to place a temporary sign at Rainier Trails Park that asks users to limit play to tennis and directs pickleball players to nearby resurfaced courts. Councilmember Smith, who brought the motion after the community services committee discussion, said the intent was to address noise and parking concerns raised by neighbors: “So I make a motion to ask the council to implement a sign for Rainier Trails Park,” she said.
Council members spent extended time debating the sign’s wording and enforceability. Several members warned that a sign lacking codified authority would be advisory only, while others said an honor‑system sign could help reduce tensions and steer players to larger facilities with restrooms and parking. Staff clarified the city has no current sign code that would make a non‑codified sign enforceable by police or code enforcement.
Staff recommended temporary wording that “please limit use to tennis” and include directions to alternative pickleball courts at Dwight Garrett Park. Council agreed to allow a temporary sign to be installed quickly and to reevaluate if complaints continue, noting that a fully enforceable restriction would require formal codification and possibly reimbursement for prior resurfacing if the city later restricts use.
The motion to place a temporary sign passed by voice vote. Council asked staff to coordinate sign language with the parks department and to reach out to local pickleball groups before finalizing.
