Council approves temporary ‘tennis only’ sign at Rainier Trails Park, will reevaluate in one month

The Enumclaw City Council on May 26 approved placing a temporary sign at Rainier Trails Park encouraging tennis use and directing pickleball players to the newly resurfaced Dwight/Garrett courts.

Councilmember Smith moved the measure after community members and an HOA board reported noise, parking and public‑urination complaints. The motion was seconded and went to council discussion. "We encourage you to go play, but to say tennis only right now where we have no teeth to enforce it — I just never have," said one council member during the debate, urging careful wording on the sign so it would not create the impression of a codified restriction.

Councilmembers discussed alternatives, including directing users to nearby courts and installing a temporary sign while monitoring the situation. City staff said a temporary sign could be produced quickly and that a permanent, enforceable restriction would require codification and separate legal review. Council agreed to a temporary, instructive sign and to revisit the issue in about a month to see whether additional steps are needed.

The action is intended as an honor‑system approach rather than an enforceable ban; staff noted that only a formal ordinance change would grant code‑enforcement or police powers to restrict the activity. Council asked staff to contact community stakeholders, including the local pickleball group, and to consider reimbursement requests for any court‑stripe work incurred by third parties.

The vote to place the temporary sign passed by voice vote.