How to Install an In-Ground Trampoline

Installing an in-ground trampoline can significantly enhance your backyard, creating a safer and more visually appealing play space. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you smoothly complete the installation.

Step 1: Planning and Preparation

Choose an area with flat ground, ample surrounding space, and no underground utilities or significant tree roots. Verify local building codes or HOA guidelines to ensure your installation complies with any applicable regulations.

Tools and Materials Needed:

• Trampoline kit (frame, springs, mat, safety pads)
• Excavation equipment (shovel or mechanical excavator)
• Measuring tape
• Marking paint or stakes and string
• Retaining wall materials (treated wood, galvanized steel panels, or retaining wall blocks)
• Gravel or drainage pipe
• Leveling tool
• Backfill soil and turf
• Safety net enclosure (optional but recommended)

Step 2: Marking and Excavation

Using your assembled trampoline frame as a template, mark an area slightly larger than its dimensions (2-5 inches extra) to allow room for installation adjustments.

Carefully remove the top layer of grass or turf, setting it aside for later. Begin excavation, shaping the hole in a bowl-like form, with the deepest part in the center, adhering precisely to the depth recommendations provided by your trampoline manufacturer.

Step 3: Drainage Installation

Proper drainage is needed to prevent water accumulation beneath your trampoline. In areas that are prone to heavy rain or poor drainage, consider implementing one of these solutions:

• Soakaway Pit: Dig a pit approximately 2 feet by 2 feet at the hole’s deepest point, filling it with gravel to help disperse water naturally.
• Drainage Pipe: Lay perforated drainage pipe around the perimeter at the bottom of the hole, ensuring it slopes gently away from the trampoline area to direct water away efficiently.

Step 4: Building Retaining Walls

Construct robust retaining walls around the perimeter of your excavation to prevent soil erosion and maintain structural integrity. Here’s how to build a reliable retaining wall:

• Treated Wood: Use pressure-treated timber, ensuring boards are firmly secured using galvanized steel stakes or posts driven into the ground.
• Galvanized Steel Panels: Install metal panels designed specifically for in-ground trampoline installations, securing them with stakes or anchor systems provided by manufacturers.
• Retaining Wall Blocks: Stack interlocking blocks, starting at a firm base level, making sure to stagger each row for added stability. Backfill carefully as you build upward.

Step 5: Frame Assembly and Placement

Assemble the trampoline frame according to your manufacturer’s instructions, ensuring all connections are secure. Carefully lower the assembled frame into the excavated hole, ensuring it sits flush and level with the surrounding ground surface.

Step 6: Attaching Mat and Springs

Attach the jumping mat by evenly placing the springs. Begin by positioning springs at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock positions to evenly distribute tension. Then continue attaching the remaining springs uniformly around the trampoline frame.

Step 7: Backfilling and Finishing Touches

Fill the gaps between the trampoline frame and the excavation walls using the set-aside soil, compacting it firmly to ensure stability. Replace the saved turf around the trampoline edges, creating a seamless visual transition.

Step 8: Installing Safety Components

Attach safety pads securely over the springs and frame to protect jumpers from injuries. Installing a safety net enclosure around your trampoline is highly recommended, especially if children use it, to prevent accidental falls.

Step 9: Final Inspection

Perform a detailed inspection to ensure your trampoline is level, stable, and secure. Conduct a test bounce to verify proper functionality and safety.