Neighbors press city to remove pickleball lines; council delays action until Garrett Park resurfacing

Residents of the Stonebrook neighborhood urged Enumclaw’s council on April 27 to remove pickleball striping at Rainier Trails Park, saying daily summer play has created persistent noise for homes as close as about 30 feet to the court.

Richard Gardine, speaking on behalf of Stonebrook neighbors, said the group is not opposed to pickleball but opposed to the current location and its noise impact. He told council the parks board voted two weeks earlier to remove the lines and that funds are available to resurface and restore the court to tennis-only use.

“We want to be clear that we are not opposed to pickleball. However, we are concerned about the location of the court at Rainier Trails Park,” Gardine said.

Councilmembers discussed the request and most expressed a preference to wait until the new seven‑court facility at Garrett Park is resurfaced and available to players. Councilmember Storton, who lives in the neighborhood and said he plays pickleball, said he supported removing the Rainier Trails lines once Garrett Park is open. Other councilmembers emphasized fiscal caution and reluctance to remove amenities before an alternative is ready.

“We kind of wanted to wait to resurface the Garrett courts and then see what the use is,” one councilmember said, noting resurfacing at Garrett is expected to start May 18.

The council agreed to revisit the issue at its May 18 meeting after seeing whether play shifts to the new Garrett Park courts. The parks director and committee members will provide any relevant updates to help determine whether to remove the Rainier Trails pickleball striping.