Stella Downie was jumping for joy when she got the approval from city officials to open her trampoline park.
Sky Zone opened in a former warehouse in Hyde Park last week, and so far nearly 700 people have walked in and taken a leap.
Downie, the owner, bills the park as a new option of “healthy recreation.”
“For me, I want to play. That’s how I want to stay in shape. I want to laugh … and be with other people. I don’t want to run on the treadmill,” she said.
The indoor park is open for various activities everyday. An “open jump” is offered all week, except Mondays, for people who suddenly feel the urge to get off the ground. A hour-long instructed workout session called SkyRobics is offered for kids and adults, as are games of dodgeball.
Sky Zone was founded in Las Vegas in 2002 and has seven locations throughout the country. This is the company’s first franchise in the Northeast.
Founder of Stellabella Toys in Cambridge, Downie opened Sky Zone because she wanted a fun way to stay in shape.
Finding the right location took some time, she said, because she needed a space large enough without any poles and with high ceilings. The neighborhood also sold her.
“It’s an up-and-coming neighborhood with a good mix of young families and creative people. It just seemed like the perfect fit.”
