So You Want to Build a Trampoline Park

Key Considerations from the Ground Up

Planning decisions shape long-term success from day one.

The Build Is Not the Business

One of the biggest misconceptions in the industry is that opening a trampoline park is just about buying the equipment and turning on the lights. In reality, the build is only a portion of the total operation—and often the easiest part.

Where things typically go wrong is in the grey areas: HVAC miscalculations, inefficient freight logistics, unclear layout planning, or overspending on features that don’t perform. Even small planning errors can trigger delays across permitting, install, and inspections.

Building a park without understanding how it operates day-to-day is a fast track to high overhead, low throughput, and early burnout.

Often, operational details matter more than the equipment itself.

Layout Makes or Breaks the Guest Experience

Layout isn’t just a design detail, it’s a primary business lever.

A well-designed park guides guests naturally through zones, reduces idle time, and encourages return visits. A poorly laid-out park leads to congestion, guest confusion, and underused square footage.

Flow is everything. You want areas that encourage movement and exploration, but also natural places to rest, observe, and orient. Parks that are too tight or too scattered create friction and fatigue. If the space is hard to understand, people leave early—and they often don’t come back.

It’s also important to design with maintenance and staff access in mind. If replacing a spring means pulling up flooring or moving three attractions, something went wrong upstream.

Good flow keeps guests moving, exploring, and returning.

Don’t Let Single Features Drive the Build

It’s easy to get caught up in trying to include the newest attraction or something that went viral. But just because something looks good on Instagram doesn’t mean it works in a high-traffic facility.

Attractions should be easy to use, durable, and clearly part of a larger experience. If something needs signage or explanation, it’s not intuitive. And if it’s not intuitive, it slows down the energy of the park.

Not every feature has to be a showpiece. The goal is to build a park that functions well as a whole—not one that relies on a single feature to carry the experience.

Attractions should be intuitive and consistently engaging.

The Utility Bill Is Bigger Than You Think!

Heating and cooling a large space is not a line item you want to underestimate. Especially in colder climates, HVAC can quietly become the most expensive operational cost—sometimes outpacing staffing or rent.

Even small oversights have big consequences. One real example: a facility that left its HVAC running at full capacity for two months during COVID, with no guests. The result? A $15,000 utility bill.

Plan early, and plan accurately. Your ongoing costs are just as important as your opening costs.

Freight and Logistics Are Often Ignored

Freight planning often gets left until the end, but it should be part of the early build conversation. When deliveries show up before your space is ready, you’re stuck dealing with storage issues, re-handling costs, or potential damage.

Layout matters here too. If access points aren’t considered during the design phase, moving equipment in—or maintaining it later—can be far more complicated than it needs to be.

Solid logistics planning includes how shipments are packed, when they arrive, how they’ll be brought inside, and how the install will be staged. These details make a big difference once boots are on the ground.

Freight planning is about more than just shipping.

Not All Vendors Understand Operations

Some manufacturers build great products, but don’t have a background in day-to-day park operations. That gap shows up when things don’t go exactly to plan.

When evaluating vendors, it’s worth asking how they’ve handled real-world issues. Can they support mid-install changes? Do they have a process for part replacements? Have they worked with high-traffic facilities before?

The difference between a smooth install and a frustrating one often comes down to experience. It’s easier to work with a team that understands what happens after the equipment is delivered.

Work with people who’ve run parks—not just built them.

Planning a Park? Start With the Right Partner

Building a trampoline park comes with a steep learning curve—and shortcuts often lead to costly mistakes. Working with a partner who understands both the manufacturing side and the operational reality of running a park can save time, money, and unnecessary rework.

Crazy Ape isn’t just an equipment supplier. We’ve designed, built, and operated some of the largest trampoline parks in the country. We know what works, what holds up, and what actually drives guest experience.

Whether you're launching your first location or looking to upgrade an existing facility, we help turn big ideas into real, usable spaces—built to last, and built for business.

Want a Deeper Look?

We cover all of this and more in Monkey Business Episode 16: So You Want to Build a Trampoline Park?

n this episode, we walk through hard-earned lessons from real builds—what worked, what didn’t, and what future park operators need to understand before they get started. From layout decisions to budgeting pitfalls, this one’s a must-listen for anyone serious about launching a trampoline facility. Watch now below, or listen on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Monkey Business is all about having fun and educating viewers on trampolines and related equipment. We aim to help debunk the myths of the trampoline industry and show you why you should NEVER buy a round trampoline.

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