Neighbors press council to remove pickleball lines; council prefers waiting for new Garrett Park courts

ENUMCLAW — Neighbors urged the City Council on April 27 to remove pickleball striping at Rainier Trails Park, citing daily play and noise that they say has affected homes as close as about 30 feet from the courts. Councilmembers responded with split views but a general preference to delay removal until new courts at Garrett Park are completed.

Richard Gardine, speaking on behalf of Stonebrook neighbors, said the group is "not opposed to pickleball" but that lines added in May 2025 have produced significant noise during daily summer play and asked the council to "have a discussion during the city reports meeting this evening to remove the pickleball lines and restore the court to tennis only." He noted the parks board passed a motion to remove the lines and that funding is available to do the work.

Council committee discussion recounted that resurfacing and new courts at Garrett Park will create seven dedicated courts and that project work is scheduled to begin May 18. Several councilmembers — while sympathetic to neighbors — said a preferred approach is to wait to remove the Rainier Trails lines until the alternate facility is operational so displaced players have a place to go.

"Let's get the new court surfaced and lined out and then see what the use is," one councilmember said, noting the city should avoid removing public recreational opportunities before replacements are ready. Another member said removing lines now would be a poor use of tax dollars if resurfacing at Garrett Park will provide appropriate alternatives.

Council scheduled follow‑up discussion for the May 18 meeting to assess how Garrett Park surfacing affects use and noise at Rainier Trails.