An in-ground trampoline just might be the elegant solution for your garden. Although it’s built into the ground, you can dig the pit yourself. Our step-by-step guide will help you through the whole process of preparing the pit.
Although building a trampoline pit seems very simple at first glance, the reality is that there are many factors to consider that affect the safety of trampolines and consequently their lifespan.
When building the pit, care must be taken to prevent dirt, stones, or water from accumulating in it, as they could affect the functionality of the trampoline over time. In addition, the trampoline must be perfectly horizontal and level with the ground.
Preparing the pit is an easy project, but only if you follow the expert's instructions. If you still think that such work is too complicated for you, you should definitely look for a provider who knows how to do the job properly.
How to prepare a trampoline pit
When you decide to install an in-ground trampoline, pit preparation is crucial for the safety, stability, and optimal performance of the trampoline, so how you go about it is extremely important.
1. Mark out the area to be excavated
The first step in preparing the pit is to choose the best place for your trampoline. Make sure that the ground is level and there are no obstacles or trees nearby that would hinder jumping or pose an additional danger to users.
Once you’ve chosen a suitable spot, the first thing to do is to mark out the area that needs to be excavated. In this process, consider the shape and size of the trampoline:
- Shape: The pit must correspond to the shape of the trampoline.
- Size: We recommend that you mark the actual shape and size of the hole you need to dig on the ground. Please be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when determining the size of the pit, as the installation method used for in-ground trampolines varies from one manufacturer to another.
A few tips:
- Stake the pit with a tape measure and stakes.
- For a round pit, drive a stake in the center of the circle and tie a rope the length of the radius of the circle to it. Mark the circumference of the circle with the rope to determine the area to dig.
- The easiest way to mark the area is to use spray paint.
2. Remove the grass or topsoil
Once you’ve marked the area to be dug, start by removing the top layer of grass, which you can creatively repurpose elsewhere in the garden. To do this, just push the spade 5 cm into the ground, angle it slightly, and push it under the grass. This way you can easily remove the grass in large sections.
3. Dig the hole
Now start digging the hole. This will be the hardest part of preparing the trampoline pit, so make sure you undertake the task with plenty of positive energy and perhaps even ask friends or neighbors to help you. This will get the job done much faster.
Use a hoe to loosen the ground and, of course, a spade to remove the soil. Think in advance about where you could take all the excavated material and organize its removal accordingly.
To ensure safety, it’s essential that you dig the pit to a suitable depth. This is usually between 60 and 100 cm deep, but each manufacturer has different requirements for each trampoline model, so be sure to read the instructions for yours. The most important thing is that the outer part of the pit is shallower, but it gets deeper and deeper as you get closer to the middle. The center of the pit is, therefore, the deepest, which allows safe jumping, and the center is best determined by using a measuring tape stretched over the pit.
A few tips:
- We recommend hiring a mini digger if you’re installing a larger trampoline.
- Don't take away all the excavated material because you’ll need some at the end to fill the space between the base and the trampoline.
- Before you move on to the next stage, make sure that the trampoline frame fits into the hole you’ve prepared in terms of size, shape, and depth.
4. Ensure adequate drainage
Before installing the trampoline, you must provide adequate drainage. The draining of water from the pit, especially in the event of heavy rainfall, ensures that the pit has a proper foundation and prevents the walls from eroding over time and the trampoline from subsiding.
If the trampoline is on slightly higher ground, installing drainage pipes will suffice for this purpose. If the trampoline is on flat ground, however, we recommend installing a dirty water pump to effectively pump out any excess water.
5. Line the pit with ground cover
All that’s left to do now is to line the pit with a suitable floor covering. For this purpose, choose landscape fabric that will prevent the growth of weeds. Lay the cover over the entire surface of the pit and fix it so that it fits snugly to the bottom of the pit and hugs the shape of the hole – This will ensure enough room for jumping under the jumping mat and reduce the risk of any injuries.
The pit is now ready for the installation of your in-ground trampoline. It’s essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions at every step, and then you can safely enjoy the unique fun in your garden that only trampolining can provide.
