Largest Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park in the Country Set to Open This Weekend on North Shore

By Linda Bock

Stella Downie was jumping on a trampoline in her friend’s backyard when she first realized what a great workout it was.

“I thought what a great way to get fit,” Downie said. “I was amazed how quickly I got winded,” Downie began to think that there should be a trampoline gym, and she set out to see if anything like it existed.

Downie, already entrepreneur-minded, researched online.

“That’s when I first stumbled upon the first Sky Zone (Indoor Trampoline Park) in Las Vegas,” Downie said. She watched the company develop the concept for a few years.

Sky Zone in Las Vegas opened in 2004, and “In 2009, I came on as their first franchisee,” Downie said.

“Imagine a seemingly endless sea of trampolines, all connected to form one massive trampoline surface,” according an online description of what Sky Zone is. “Now, imagine that surface enclosed with angled trampolines that allow you to literally bounce off the walls! These patented, all-trampoline, walled playing courts are the foundation of Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park since we opened our first location in 2004. It’s a playing court so original and unique, it was awarded a United States patent.”

Downie is set to open her fourth Sky Zone franchise on Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers. The new facility is set near the Marshalls-Old Navy section of the mall where Sports Authority has once been located until it moved to the other side of the mall. She owns the Sky Zone in Boston, Everett and Providence, R.I.

“I love the concept of a community coming together to be joyful,” Downie said. She also loves the idea of play - for all ages.

Downie owned Stellabella Toys in Cambridge, and before that, worked with teens. She feels that Sky Zone trampoline parks were a natural evolution for her.

“It’s been a crooked path,” Downie said. “But play has been the common theme.”

Sky Zone at Liberty Tree Mall will be the country’s largest indoor trampoline park to date. The facility has over 43,000 square-feet, and of that, over 29,000 square-feet of jumping space, according to Downie. Almost 100 employees for the new Sky Zone have been hired and trained. The indoor trampoline park will feature a variety of trampoline courts and activities for all ages.

The Toddler Zone will have a “foam zone,” an open area for jumping and a lot of square-footage.

Sky Zone at the Liberty Tree Mall will also have Open Jump trampoline courts, Sky Slam where people can practice their slam dunks, SkyRobotics fitness classes, four Ultimate Dodgeball courts, and the newest, an Ultimate Volleyball trampoline court.

“I think it will be really fun,” Downie said.

Downie said safety is a primary focus. Jumpers must wear “Sky Socks,” socks that were designed for trampolines.

“We separate jumpers by age to decrease risk,” Downie said. “I think we had an 86-year-old gentleman in Boston.”

Jumpers, or parents of younger jumpers, must sign a waiver.

Tickets will be available to purchase online on Friday. Sky Zone will begin booking parties and events by phone on Thursday. The hours for opening day will be noon to 8 p.m.Saturday night.

“If you can walk,” Downie said. “You can jump.”