foam pit for my garden.

[soul rancher]

well i decided i want to build a foam pit in my back garden.

i have a kinda idea on how to build one but need to know some small problem that I hope you lot can help me with.

I want to make a big foam pit in my garden to bock into without hurting myself.
being a farmer it shouldn't cost to much as i wont need planning permission and i have the machinery to make the hole.

the simple things i need help with is :-

how deep should i make it?
how wide and long should i make it?
and the main problem is where can i get foam to fill it

but the cool thing is when it build all the Jurassic jumpers can come round for the day and try it out  (oh and kiola if he likes)

and the coolest thing will be is the jj will have a foam pit to try the big moves into 
 
if you can help me out with my problems or anything i should know please let me know 

[Athoul]

I thought about this a while ago and one of the main problems I came across was a way to keep it dry.

As for the foam you could buy loads of sponges (the sort you use for washing your car)

Just searching on google you could also use old foam matresses cut up into smaller blocks

[Kiola]

great idea

foam pits tend to be about 2m deep and as wide as you need them... make it farely large so that theres no chance that your going to hit the edge.

While your at it.. you should dig a pit for your trampoline aswell....

[Nero!]

wish i had the room for a similar thing, still not long hopefully.
go for it though soul rancher, make it as big as you can possibly allow.
athoul, i think i cricket style pitch cover thing may do it keep it "dry", if its just foam in a hole like

[bocking mad]

i have seen people make them above ground.
the frame being made from old matresses and then cutting up old foam beds to fill it with, that makes it easier to keep dry.
just an idea..

[Dark Knight]

Dig the pit in the floor of your garage and fill that
May have problem parking your car but the foam would stay dry LOL

[Kiola]

garage a bit low to build flips and Jumps into though DK 

you would have to properly line the bottom and edges with a material that wont tear as well...

[Bill C.]

I agree with Athoul that the biggest hurdle is how to keep it dry.  But that all depends on how long you want the foam pit to last.  You could, of course, just dig a big hole, fill it with foam pieces, and cover it with a big plastic tarp to somewhat protect it from the weather.  But you will have to figure out how to keep rainwater from ponding on top of the tarp and sinking in.  Rainwater will run in under the tarp and down the pit walls, soaking back into the ground and probably only wet the perimeter foam that touches the walls and bottom of the pit.  The tarp will have to be large, waterproof, and tough enough to withstand winds.  Biggest headache would be if the foam gets wet.  I guess you'd have to empty the pit and leave the foam spread out on the ground to dry in the sun.  Actually, an even bigger headache will be if a cow stumbles into the pit.   

I assume you are not looking to build a more professional pit with lined pit walls, drainage, etc.  Good luck with the project.  Sounds like fun.

[bmthbloke]

agreed  dont want it filling with water.

Re getting foam   maybe start a 'blue peter' stylee appeal?  et people to send you  'there old foam'

Actually my parents r i think thinking of getting a new bed --if they do Ill let you know.

pit for tramp  sounds good too.  Also  , 1 guy built  a 'stepped' wooden jumping platform ( for want of a better name).  Steps 1 side  4 foot drop other side --so got constant bounce for trying tricks.

Dont suppose  you could do a pool as well while you were at it?  With one of those 'sunken' bars at the side?  Just a thought

[coachgeo]

no way..... a pit outdoor in ground not properly sealed in.... YUKKKKKKKK... the foam will get nassssstyyyyy, grow mold and mildew.... attract critters....  It will STINKKKKKK rather quickly. 

wont catch me going nearrrr that.

BUTT... easy solution

burry TWO trampolines.  One to bounce on.  Next to it another frame and tramp bed but with many of the springs removed.... or replace springs with lighter bungee cord.  Then throw your parents old bed matress on top and you got a very soft landing mat with simular consistency to a resi pit (pole vaulting pit).  Build you a wood bounce up deck that goes over the springs and stops at the tramp bed on one side. 

"helping" preventing head or kneck injury is not as good as loose foam pit but the next best thing.  Many gyms now use resi pits.  It just takes to long to get out of loose foam pits and even in a building they get NASTY.

[Athoul]

Just some more ideas for where to get foam from:

It would definatly be worth ringing some local foam places to see if you can get off-cuts for free or a small cost.

Here are a few i found using google:

Polyfoam
380c Ringwood Road, Poole, BH12 3LT
Tel: 01202736353

BV Foam
Unit 2, Nicholson's Yard, Hinton St.Mary, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 1NA  
Tel: 01258 471747

Another place i thought of is FreeCycle, make a post asking for any old foam matresses and i bet there would be some people who would have some they would give to you.

You also need to think about the location as it would be really good to have concrete next to it so you jump off the concrete into the pit.

[Bill C.]

BUTT... easy solution... burry TWO trampolines.

I think problem #1 would be the cost of two large trampolines.  Even just 1 large one is big money.  I'm not that rich that I can afford to buy and bury one in my backyard.

[Athoul]

If you search foam pit in google:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=foam+pit&meta=

Look at the 4th link 

[Bill C.]

Freaky.  I feel like I'm being watched.

[nikki]

Try old baby matresses. Most are all foam and you shouldnt use them on more than one baby so alot just get chucked away.
I think freecycle would be the best bet as its all free.

Couldnt you line it with pond liner. i mean its not like your going to hit the sides.
Also build something that sinks slightly into the hole but it higher than the side of the hole, then make like a ramp into the ground. Should stop rain water running ito the hole.
Make like a pitcher roof type thing to go over the top when it rains.
(hope you all understood that lol)

Dunno just some make shift/cheap ideas.

Baby matresses would be good and easy to get hold of though.

Nikki X