While in many cities across the world the almost saturated market for trampoline parks has seen many operations go out of business, in others, it’s heralding a new wave of investment and innovation that is evolving the industry.

Urban Air

Gone are the days when a simple trampoline park offered enough to be able to cut it in a fast-paced and now ruthless sector. Those that are thriving are those that now call themselves an “indoor activity park.”

Ropes courses, ninja warrior courses, inflatables, laser tag, escape rooms and VR are all being added to satisfy the appetite for variety from an increasingly spoilt-for-choice consumer base.

A microcosm of what’s happening in many states across the US is the plethora of outlets in the cities and towns on the Fox River in Wisconsin, known as the Fox Cities.

Later this year, there will be seven sites competing for the populace’s leisure dollar after two new locations from Urban Air and Altitude open their new projects, reports local paper, the Post-Crescent.

Urban Air Adventure Park, in Grand Chute, will be a U$5m, 55,000sq.ft facility that its owner is at great pains to stress “is not a trampoline park.” A multi-level go-kart track, zipwires and bumper cars among other attractions will feature alongside trampolines. 

Altitude Trampoline Park in the same town will weigh in at 36,000sq.ft and cost $1.1m by the time it opens in late September.

Already in the area is an Xtreme Air Trampoline Park in Appleton, which recently spent $350,000 on upgrades, including a ninja course, Wipeout attraction and lighting shows.

Vertical Velocity, in Darboy’s former Sky Zone location, is a “value-priced” trampoline park.

Also in Appleton is Badger Sports Park, which has received a $300,000 boost via a laser tag upgrade and virtual reality room. It also has escape rooms, inflatables, mini-bowling and a game room. Seasonal outdoor attractions include go-karts, mini-golf and batting cages.

Luv2Playe town presents bounce houses and an arcade for the same age range.

Image: An urban air ninja warrior course