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Council approves temporary 'tennis-only' sign at Rainier Trails Park after heated debate over pickleball use
Summary
After extended debate about enforceability, parking and equity, Enumclaw City Council voted to place a temporary sign at Rainier Trails Park encouraging tennis-only use and directing pickleball players to the newly resurfaced Dwight Garrett courts; staff said the sign would be non‑enforceable unless codified.
The Enumclaw City Council voted May 26 to place a temporary sign at Rainier Trails Park encouraging tennis-only play and directing pickleball players to nearby Dwight Garrett courts.
The motion, introduced during the Community Services committee report, was framed by Councilmember Smith, who moved that the city “implement a sign for Rainier Trails Park” to mark the court as tennis-oriented and steer pickleball users to alternative courts. Council debate centered on whether a sign that prohibits pickleball — without a change to park rules or an ordinance — would create false expectations or trigger demands for further restrictions or reimbursements for prior line‑striping work.
City staff and legal counsel repeatedly noted the limits of a sign. Director Passanetti told the council: “I just wanna be clear that this is not enforceable. It’s more instructive to people,” and recommended language encouraging users to go to Dwight Garrett rather than language that implies a codified restriction. Council members raised concerns about parking, restroom access and noise complaints raised by nearby residents.
Council members proposed a temporary sign as a low-cost, immediate measure to test whether directing play to the larger, newly resurfaced courts would reduce neighborhood impacts. After discussion the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
What happens next: staff will prepare sign language that encourages tennis use at Rainier Trails Park and lists alternative courts (Dwight Garrett) and a contact phone number; council and staff will monitor complaints and usage before considering any codified change to park rules.
