Sunken trampoline supply/installation

I have a client near Croydon who is interested in installing a small sunken trampoline, with a playmound doughnut or crescent around it formed with the excess soil. Their site slopes slightly. There is side access, but they have already built a stone terrace with steps up to a lawn so it will be tricky to get a digger up to the potential trampoline location.

Does anyone have any tips about installers and suppliers of sunken trampolines? Will they have to approach a specialist, or are in ground trampolines now familiar enough that general landscapers would install them? I've looked at Capital Play but am not sure why their in ground trampolines are twice the price of e.g. the Plum ones... all thoughts welcome!

Specific in ground trampolines tend to be of a better quality than the Plum type, specifically much better quality protection matting. The Capital range of in ground trampolines are ok but they still have springs and these can lead to some pretty nasty accidents. Children and adults using in ground trampolines think they are safe to use without side netting and tend to be careless. Personally I would only advise installing an in ground trampoline for a client if they agreed to netting. If the client later decides to take away the netting then he/she can accept liability. I did a lot of research and ended up purchasing a Springfree trampoline as the name suggest they are the only company not to use springs (not cheap though) I emailed them about in-ground installation and got the following (cautious) reply.

Hi John,

Thank you for your enquiry into our Springfree Trampolines and potentially sinking it.

If I was to be asked this question I would say one of two things.

Yes, it can be done but to two particular stages (sinking all the way and then sinking just the metal frame).

The issue you have with sinking all the way is you need to carefully channel in areas for the enclosure rods to sit and have the freedom and flexibility to move.

We don’t recommend sinking a Springfree trampoline in the ground but I have attached two images from clients overseas that have achieved it.

These are the only two images I have ever seen in the eight years of selling Springfree’s.

Sadly I would be unable to give any guideline or instructions on how to achieve this.

Call me if you have any additional questions and I would do my best to answer them.

Best regards

Best In-Ground & Sunken Trampolines Ireland 2020-2021 Why An In Ground Trampoline Is Better For Your Children’s Safety With the holidays quick approa…

Replies

PRO

Richard Gadsby April 19, 2016 at 5:33pm

I did one for my sister years ago on a stepped lawn. Had to take fence down to get digger in!
I would think most landscapers would do it as its not difficult:-)
John Tracey April 19, 2016 at 5:46pm

Specific in ground trampolines tend to be of a better quality than the Plum type, specifically much better quality protection matting. The Capital range of in ground trampolines are ok but they still have springs and these can lead to some pretty nasty accidents. Children and adults using in ground trampolines think they are safe to use without side netting and tend to be careless. Personally I would only advise installing an in ground trampoline for a client if they agreed to netting. If the client later decides to take away the netting then he/she can accept liability. I did a lot of research and ended up purchasing a Springfree trampoline as the name suggest they are the only company not to use springs (not cheap though) I emailed them about in-ground installation and got the following (cautious) reply.

Hi John,

Thank you for your enquiry into our Springfree Trampolines and potentially sinking it.

If I was to be asked this question I would say one of two things.

Yes, it can be done but to two particular stages (sinking all the way and then sinking just the metal frame).

The issue you have with sinking all the way is you need to carefully channel in areas for the enclosure rods to sit and have the freedom and flexibility to move.

We don’t recommend sinking a Springfree trampoline in the ground but I have attached two images from clients overseas that have achieved it.

These are the only two images I have ever seen in the eight years of selling Springfree’s.

Sadly I would be unable to give any guideline or instructions on how to achieve this.

Call me if you have any additional questions and I would do my best to answer them.

Best regards
Terka Acton April 19, 2016 at 6:49pm

Thank you both! That is an especially good tip about the netting, and I'm glad to hear you've looked into the whole in ground trampoline idea. I will proceed with caution...
John Baker April 23, 2016 at 1:20pm

Have installed one without a safety net some years ago and it is still in use...I will try and remember to photo it when next there.

Apart from safety considerations two things need to be alerted. First, the amount of bounce is considerably reduced because the air is restricted underneath. Second if you don't have good drainage an adult (or that rare thing an obese child!) may get a wet bum at the bottom of the bounce.
- Terka Acton > John Baker April 29, 2016 at 12:11pm
  
  Thanks John!
Gary McGeown September 19, 2020 at 6:58pm

Some of the images below look pretty great, and we have found that there are usually excellent videos available from the trampoline manufacturers on Youtube. We have some videos from Berg. Let us know if you want to have a look.

Gary

In Ground Trampoline Ireland | Best Sunken Trampolines 2020-2021

Best In-Ground & Sunken Trampolines Ireland 2020-2021 Why An In Ground Trampoline Is Better For Your Children’s Safety With the holidays quick approa…