PebbleLock Case Study | Trampoline Foundation

The Challenge 

As idyllic as their rural lifestyle was, Mike and Sarah quickly discovered that a trampoline placed directly on the lawn wasn’t going to cut it, especially during New Zealand’s wetter months. Once the rain set in, the patch under the trampoline turned into a muddy mess. The legs of the trampoline would slowly sink into the soft earth, throwing the frame out of alignment and making it unstable. Mike would have to drag it out, re-level it or in some cases, wedge blocks under the legs just to keep it balanced while the kids played.

Mike considered a more permanent solution, like pouring concrete under the trampoline, but that came with its own problems. Concrete felt too final. It wouldn’t drain, and all the water would simply pool around the edges, potentially turning the surrounding grass into an even bigger swamp.

What he needed was something that would keep the trampoline level, let water drain away naturally and make lawn maintenance simpler. Something practical, but not permanent.

The Solution

While browsing his local landscaping supply store, Mike discovered Strol PebbleLock, a permeable paving system designed for both residential and commercial landscaping use.

PebbleLock works by combining multiple drainage layers that create a hard-wearing, stable and water-permeable surface. The system starts with a layer of geotextile fabric that separates the soil from the drainage aggregate. On top of that sits a layer of compacted aggregate that allows water to flow down and disperse evenly. Then comes the PebbleLock grid; a plastic, honeycomb-style paver system that locks into place to form a stable surface. These cells are filled with decorative pebbles, which not only look tidy but also allow rainwater to pass through without pooling or flooding the area.

This clever combination spreads out the weight of anything placed on top, whether it’s cars, bike, or in this case, a trampoline. Rather than the legs pushing into the earth, the pressure is distributed evenly across the surface. That meant no more sinking legs, no more wobbling frames and no more uneven bounce zones.

Even better, PebbleLock can be a semi-permanent solution. If one day the trampoline is no longer needed, Mike can lift the panels and reuse them elsewhere in the garden. He appreciated knowing he wasn’t locking himself into something he couldn’t change later.

He also decided to take things a step further and used PebbleLock to create a tidy path from the deck to the trampoline. That meant fewer muddy feet on the trampoline and through the kitchen.

The Result

With the installation complete, the family couldn’t be happier. The trampoline now sits on a clean, level, well-drained surface that looks just as good as it functions. The kids have been back to bouncing like nothing changed, except now, they can do it even after a downpour without getting covered in mud or bouncing lopsided.

The boys absolutely love it. Even when it’s drizzling, they’ll sneak outside in their raincoats to have a jump. Their mum isn’t always thrilled about them bouncing in the rain, but she takes comfort in knowing the area is safe and that they’re not tracking as much mess back indoors.

The new PebbleLock pad means the trampoline legs stay put and the frame remains level, no matter how soggy the lawn gets. The risk of tipping or sliding is gone, giving both parents peace of mind, but for Mike, the biggest relief is how easy it is to maintain. He no longer wrangles the trampoline every fortnight to mow underneath. The defined PebbleLock pad is edged cleanly, and the mower glides neatly around it. He simply mows around the edge and the path; there’s no lifting, no dragging, and no stress.