NORTH Trampolines: What North Shore Families Should Know Before Buying

Kids judge a trampoline by the bounce. Parents focus on everything else, from how it looks in the yard to how it holds up after a few Chicago winters. NORTH trampolines are one of the few brands built to satisfy both lists.

NORTH makes both in-ground and above-ground trampolines, and at Fenceworks we recommend its above-ground Legend line for most North Shore families. It's more economical, it's the option we consider safer for young jumpers, and it's a project our team can handle from start to finish without digging up the yard.

Below, we’ll cover what makes NORTH trampolines different, which size fits your yard, how much professional trampoline installation costs, and tips to get one through a Chicago winter.

Are NORTH Trampolines Good?

Yes. NORTH is a Swedish company that has been designing premium backyard trampolines for young athletes and active families since 2012, with a stated focus on high-quality components, safety, and superior bounce performance.

These trampolines have a minimalist design that blends into the backyard. The frame and springs are made using heavy-duty galvanized steel to resist rust and corrosion through wet springs and Chicago winters. As such, its residential models carry a 10-year frame warranty and five-year warranties on the springs and jumping mat.

In-ground Trampolines

With in-ground models, the jumping surface sits flush with the surrounding surface, which is covered with safety pads. Kids step on and off from the grass, and a missed landing near the edge ends on the lawn instead of from a height.

The in-ground trampoline frame is built specifically for below-grade conditions, where moisture, drainage, and trapped air matter far more than a traditional trampoline sitting three feet above the lawn.

NORTH uses vented padding and a jumping system that allows displaced air to escape as someone lands on the mat. Without enough ventilation, a sunken trampoline can develop a sluggish bounce and make a loud "whump" on every landing.

The tradeoff is price and permanence. These ground-level trampolines cost more up front than a comparable above-ground trampoline. It also needs excavation and a drainage base before anyone can jump. Once it's in, it stays put, so moving it later means a second dig and repairing the old pit. That's a big part of why Fenceworks steers most families toward the NORTH Legend series instead.

Above-ground Trampolines

The Legend series includes above-ground trampoline models with adjustable bounce, a full self-closing net, and zero-gap zips for a safe experience. A safety belt near the bottom of the net also steers jumpers back toward the mat if they bounce into the edge.

Since these models don’t require excavation, families can place them on a suitable level area of the yard and relocate them more easily if their backyard setup changes later. It's the option we recommend at Fenceworks: it's more economical, since there's no excavation or drainage work to pay for, and our team can handle it from start to finish.

Which NORTH Size Fits Your Yard?

When most families think about trampolines, they automatically assume bigger is better. But that’s not true. A trampoline needs to fit the yard comfortably after you account for clearance, not simply squeeze between the patio and the property line.

NORTH’s current in-ground lineup comes in four sizes. The right size depends on how your kids will use it over the next several years, not only this summer.

The common question, “Should I get a 14-foot or 16-foot trampoline?” has a small wrinkle with NORTH. Its current ground-level trampoline lineup includes a 14-foot round model but not a 16-foot in-ground model.

If you want something larger, its 15x10 and 17x12 rectangle trampolines offer a dynamic jumping space that spreads the bounce more evenly across the mat, so kids don't drift toward the middle. NORTH does offer a 16x11-foot oval in its above-ground Legend series, which features a larger jumping area than round ones.

Whatever size you choose, leave open lawn around the pads. Patio edges, landscape rocks and fence posts shouldn't sit right at the rim.

In-Ground or Above-Ground Trampoline: Which Fits Your Backyard?

Some homeowners start shopping already convinced they want a low-to-the-ground trampoline. Then someone looks at the drainage, mature trees, or access down the side of the house and the decision changes.

An in-ground NORTH is the more integrated option. The jumping surface sits close to grade, there is no ladder to climb, and the frame does not dominate the patio sightline. However, it requires excavation and becomes a more permanent part of the landscape.

The NORTH Legend line stays above ground and avoids the excavation entirely. Legend models are available in round, oval, and rectangular configurations and offer spring extenders that let you adjust the bounce characteristics as jumpers grow or gain experience. For most North Shore yards, this is the one we recommend.

If you are still deciding, our guide on in-ground vs. above-ground trampolines covers the practical differences between the two installations.

Are Backyard Inground Trampolines Safer for Kids Under 10?

There is an obvious advantage to bringing a jumping surface down from several feet above the yard: you remove that elevated frame height around the trampoline. That does not make a trampoline injury-proof.

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly discourages home trampoline use because injuries can still happen from collisions, awkward landings, double bouncing, and flips. It specifically advises that children under six should not jump.

For families who choose to own a trampoline anyway, its recommendations include one jumper at a time, adult supervision, no somersaults or advanced tricks, proper safety padding, at least 4.5-6 meters of airspace, and keeping the enclosure closed during use.

That's one reason we point most families to an above-ground NORTH Legend: its full self-closing net keeps jumpers on the mat. For families set on in-ground, a NORTH in-ground safety enclosure adds a similar barrier around the jumping area. Our guide to the safest trampolines on the market covers other features worth looking for.

How Much Does a NORTH In-Ground Trampoline Cost?

A realistic in-ground trampoline cost is roughly $4,000 to $9,000 for the completed project.

The trampoline itself is only one part of that number. NORTH in-ground models range from about $2,399 for the 12x8 rectangle to $3,399 for the 17x12 rectangle. Professional in-ground installation typically adds another $2,000 to $4,000, depending on underground utilities, dirt removal, and overall site complexity.

A straightforward yard with good access and drainage will naturally land closer to the lower end. A tight North Shore lot where excavation equipment can't easily reach the backyard, heavy clay, or drainage issues can push the price considerably higher. An above-ground Legend avoids the excavation and drainage costs entirely, which is why it's usually the more economical choice.

Most people generally prefer DIY installation to save thousands on professional labor costs, but in-ground trampoline installation usually requires extensive yard preparation.

What In-Ground Trampoline Installation Involves

The clean, finished look can make in-ground trampoline installation seem simpler than it is. The grass eventually grows back around the frame, so most of the work disappears.

However, most of that work happens below the lawn, and each stage affects how the trampoline bounces, drains and holds up over the years.

Here's how a typical in-ground trampoline project comes together.

• Start with a level, visible area with enough clearance from trees, patios, and fences. Avoid low spots where water collects after heavy rain.
• Before digging, mark underground utilities through Illinois’ free JULIE 811 service.
• Dig the pit larger than the trampoline's diameter, with a plan to remove or relocate the excavated soil.
• Place a drainage base at the bottom of the pit to keep rain and meltwater from pooling beneath the trampoline. North Shore yards with heavier clay may need additional drainage, such as perforated pipe.
• The NORTH retaining wall holds the surrounding soil in place, but use 2x4s to reinforce the frame. When the frame is leveled, install springs, mat, and vented pads.
• The surrounding area is backfilled and graded, then seeded or sodded. Within a season, the grass fills in around the edge.

In-ground projects involve excavation and drainage work beyond the trampoline itself, which usually means coordinating with a landscaper or contractor. An above-ground NORTH Legend skips all of that, so Fenceworks can handle the project from start to finish.

Winterizing a NORTH Trampoline for a Chicago Winter

A few inches of summer rain are one thing. Water sitting beneath a trampoline and repeatedly freezing and thawing through a Chicago winter is another.

A simple winter routine checks cover most of it:

• Check drainage in fall. For in-ground models, clear leaves from the pit edges before the ground freezes, and notice how quickly the pit drains after the last big rain.
• Cover it when it's not in use. NORTH makes a fitted weather cover to protect against dirt, leaves, moisture, and UV exposure. It's most useful in the depths of winter or when you're away for a stretch.
• Don't let deep snow sit. Keep snow from piling up, since the extra weight can put unnecessary tension on the springs.
• Inspect before the first spring jump. Check the springs, pads, and mat for wear, and, on in-ground models, make sure the pit is draining.

Small habits like these play a big role in how long trampolines last.

Get the Right NORTH Trampoline for Your Kids

A NORTH trampoline can be an excellent fit for a North Shore backyard, and for most families we recommend starting with the above-ground Legend line. But the best model on paper can still be the wrong model for a particular property.

That is why Fenceworks approaches the trampoline and the yard together. Better known across generations of Chicagoland as The Guy on 41, our family-owned team can help you compare NORTH trampoline models, think through sizing and placement, and determine the proper installation path for your property.

Visit our Northbrook showroom to see the options in person, or request a free estimate before you start measuring the yard.