The Niles Village Board has approved an wide-ranging ordinance that regulates trampoline parks.

Following a Tribune report of people suffering broken bones, concussions and other injuries at newly fashionable trampoline parks, the Niles Village Board approved an ordinance that requires trampoline centers “to have a Niles business license and follow a minimum set of requirements to protect the safety of those who use the service.”

Supervisors and spotters will be required on site for a trampoline park special-use permit, the ordinance says.

Among the other requirements:

• At least $3 million in liability insurance will be required for any trampoline park to operate in town, and the insurance policy must exempt the village from liability.
• Trampolines must be placed at least 5 feet apart and have 25 feet of vertical space available for jumping.
• They must be firmly affixed to prevent shifting and be maintained “in a good state of repair.”
• A so-called “pea gravel” grounding is required.
• First-aid must be available on site.
• Trampoline equipment must be approved by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Amateur Athletic Union.
• Padding is required, and the center of each trampoline must be marked with a bullseye or X.
• Supervisors must be at least 21 years old and trained.
• Only one jumper is allowed on a trampoline at a time.
• Jumping from one trampoline to another is forbidden, and advanced tricks such as aeriel summersaults and twists require direct observation from supervisors.
• Children younger than 7 must have a parent present.
• Anyone requesting to open a trampoline park must submit to the village architectural plans with precise specifications.

Trustee Joe Lo Verde said the ordinance was “a direct result” of the May 20 Tribune article about the trampoline park fad.

The article said 16 ambulance calls occurred at a Carol Stream trampoline facility.

Extreme Trampoline has applied for a permit to open a trampoline park in rented space in Niles. Such facilities are not regulated by state or federal agencies.

“We are looking for some guidance so this company understands that we care what is going on here,” Lo Verde said.

Trustee Louella Preston, a former gymnastics teacher who worked at the YMCA with trampolines, said schools don’t have trampolines because they are too dangerous.

She questioned the qualifications required for trampoline spotters and supervisors in the ordinance.

Niles previously had no trampoline rules. Until the Tribune article was published and residents called Village Hall with concerns, local officials said they had not considered safety issues a problem for the trampoline center since it was located near other athletic sites.

An ordinance was then “quickly prepared” and approved last week.