How Tall Is the BERG PlayBase? A Complete Guide

 

When people ask “how tall is the BERG PlayBase?”, what they often want to know is:

  • The clear height from ground level to the monkey bars/top cross-beam (i.e. the usable hanging/playing height).

  • The overall height, including any necessary in-ground anchoring or base structure.

  • The impact of that height on safety, garden planning, and suitable use.

The BERG PlayBase stands 245 cm (about 8 ft) tall above ground across all sizes (Medium, Large, XL). This height provides safe clearance for swings, monkey bars, and fitness use.

Let’s break all of this down using the official specifications, then discuss what it means for your garden in Ireland, and what to look out for.


Official Height Specifications

Trampolines Ireland, along with BERG’s official product data, provides the following key dimensions for the BERG PlayBase models:

Model Height (ground to top cross-beam/monkey bars) Depth (front-to-back) Width (side-to-side)
Medium Frame 245 cm   (~ 8 ft)  100 cm  285 cm 
Large Frame 245 cm (~ 8 ft)  100 cm 380 cm (~ 12.5 ft)
Extra Large (XL) 245 cm  100 cm  470 cm 

So, across the variants (Medium, Large, Extra-Large), the height is the same: 245 cm (~8 ft) from ground to the top of the frame / monkey bars. 


What the Height Covers — Above Ground vs. Hidden Parts

It’s useful to understand what “245 cm height” refers to:

  • This is the part that sticks above ground: from surface level (lawn, soil, paving, etc.) up to the top beam (where monkey bars, rings, etc. attach). 

  • Some parts of the frame are buried, anchored or embedded in the ground for stability. Those in-ground elements do not add to the “usable height” but are key for structural safety. 

  • For planning, what matters most is the above-ground height (245 cm) but also leaving clearance above for safety and headroom.


Why 245 cm / ~8 ft Height Matters

Here are several implications of that height and how it interacts with your garden/space:

1. Clearance and Safety

  • To allow safe swinging, climbing, and use of monkey bars/accessories, you need extra overhead clearance. Adult users especially need room so they don’t bump heads or ceiling overhangs.

  • If you have trees, wires, overhangs, garages or lofts near the frame location, check they’re well above the 8 ft mark with some margin (say 30-60 cm buffer).

2. Installation Constraints

  • The 245 cm height means the frame is relatively tall, so uneven ground could mean one side is lower/higher, affecting fit of accessories (like swings or gymnastics rings). You’ll need reasonably level ground.

  • Also, anchoring and embedding into the ground needs to be done properly—if the ground is sloping, you may need ground prep (leveling, small retaining, etc.).

3. Frame Visibility & Aesthetics

  • A structure that’s 8 ft tall is going to be very visible in the garden. It’s dramatic and can look great, but it also becomes a prominent feature.

  • Think about the visual impact: how it aligns with sheds, fences, garden walls.

4. Headroom for Users

  • Adults using pull-up bars or needing to stand under parts of the frame will appreciate that nearly 2.5 m height.

  • Children will have more than enough height to swing without touching ground if accessories are hung appropriately.


Extra Details: Width, Depth, Footprint & Soil / Underground Parts

Even though the question is about height, the full size / dimensions are interrelated. For example:

  • The depth (front-to-back) is 100 cm (~1 m) across all sizes. 

  • The width side-to-side varies by model:

    • Medium: ~ 285 cm

    • Large: ~ 380 cm

    • XL: ~ 470 cm 

  • The underground anchoring is somewhat “hidden” but part of the stability. The frame is designed so you don’t need concrete foundations in most cases — you do need to dig and embed the parts of the frame for stability. 


What Height Doesn’t Cover – Things to Check

There are a few “gotchas” or misunderstandings that people sometimes have; being clear helps prevent surprises after purchase or installation.

  • Accessory drop heights: A swing or trapeze will hang lower than the top beam by the length of its ropes / chains + hardware. So think about how far down those hang, and how high off the ground you want the seat. If that swing seat is low, a 245 cm top beam gives you more flexibility.

  • Clearance for overhead cover: If part of the structure is under a roof, pergola, or branch canopy, that overhead limit may reduce the usable height.

  • Weather elements: In windy weather, the frame (plus accessories) may sway or move slightly; overhead branches or structures need additional clearance in case of movement.


Variants & Height & Special Versions

  • The Wall variant of the PlayBase has different width (e.g. 240 cm width) but same height 245 cm. 

  • The XL version (Extra Large) is wider but still 245 cm high. 

So if your concern is vertical space, the chosen model (Medium / Large / XL / Wall) doesn’t change the height above ground — only the width and possibly length/spread of accessories.


Putting It All Together: What You Need to Measure in Your Garden

To decide whether a BERG PlayBase will “fit” and be safe in your garden, here are some practical steps:

  1. Measure vertical clearance from the location you plan to install up to any overhangs (tree branches, eaves, cables).

    • A minimum of 3 - 3.5 m overhead is safer to allow for accessories (swings etc.) plus some clearance.

    • Roof eaves, gutters, other obstructions should ideally be well above the 2.5 m mark, as the structure is ~2.45 m.

  2. Check ground level and terrain

    • If the ground slopes, you may need levelling to avoid one side being lower; if that’s the case, the height from lowest ground to the beam may differ.

    • Soil type matters for anchoring; very soft or waterlogged soil might require more preparation to ensure the frame is stable at full height.

  3. Mark footprint

    • For example, if you choose the Large version, it is 380 cm wide × 100 cm deep.

    • Leave additional safety space around the structure. A buffer of 1-1.5 m is typical so swings or motion don’t risk hitting fences or other obstacles.

  4. Consider accessories

    • Some accessories hang low. If, for instance, swing ropes or nest swing straps are long, the lowest point might approach the ground unless you adjust rope length. Always check manufacturer accessory maximum drop lengths.

    • Also consider how height and width will affect where you can swing, climb, or do pull-ups.


Safety Implications of Height

Height isn’t just about space — height matters for safety:

  • Falls or slips from height are riskier the higher up someone is. Even though the PlayBase is robustly engineered, if someone slips from towards the top of the structure, the drop is greater. Ensuring safe flooring below (rubber mulch, soft grass, bark, etc.) helps.

  • Head clearance is crucial: you don’t want someone hitting their head when standing or jumping up (e.g. arms extended) under the top bar.

  • For younger children especially, make sure that the height of accessories such as swings or bars is proportionate — so that positions are manageable and safe.


Why BERG Chose 245 cm

Understanding the “why” gives insight into design trade-offs:

  • 245 cm is tall enough to allow proper clearance for swings, gymnastics rings, monkey bars, and sport accessories, even for adults.

  • Yet it’s not so tall that it becomes unwieldy, overly expensive to transport or install, or so big that most private gardens can’t accommodate it.

  • The uniform height across models simplifies production, parts compatibility (accessories fit any height), and safety standards.


FAQs: Common Questions & Answers

Q: Is 245 cm the overall height including anchoring / underground frame?
A: No — 245 cm refers to the part above ground. Underground or embedded parts are not included in that height, because they’re built into the soil for stability. 

Q: Will any model be taller if I add accessories?
A: Adding accessories like swings, nets, or hammocks will often lower the working/usable height (due to the suspension ropes), not increase it. Unless you’re adding extensions or attachments that raise the top beam — but standard accessories attach below the 245 cm beam.

Q: What is “XL” vs “Large” vs “Medium”? Does XL change height?
A: XL changes width (side-to-side) but does not change height above ground — all versions are 245 cm high. 

Q: How much headroom is needed above the PlayBase?
A: For safety and comfort, you’d want at least 0.5 – 1 m more vertical space above any swinging accessories so arms / users have room. So if the structure is 245 cm, having overhead clearance to, say, 300-320 cm is safer.


Conclusion: What the 245 cm Height Means for You

Here are the take-home points for someone in Ireland considering a BERG PlayBase:

  • 245 cm (~8 ft) is the above-ground height you’ll get with any model (Medium / Large / XL).

  • This gives you a lot of flexibility for play, sport, accessories, and room for older kids / adults.

  • But you need to check your garden’s vertical clearance, ground level, and adjacency to structures to ensure safe installation and usability.

  • The width and depth vary by model; width especially (Medium vs Large vs XL) matters for space.

If you’re shopping with us at Trampolines Ireland, we’ll help you measure, pick the right size (width & depth), and ensure there’s enough height clearance. Need help choosing which variant (Medium, Large, XL) is right for your garden? Just send your measurements or a photo and we can advise.