Trampoline Park Pitched For Old Supermarket Site In East Hartford

EAST HARTFORD, CT — A vacant supermarket in a blighted — but soon-to-be-revitalized — part of East Hartford has a new business proposal bouncing its way on the local land-use docket.

The owners of Nova Trampoline Park out of Plymouth, Mass., are proposing to transform the vacant Stop & Shop supermarket at 940 Silver Lane into a place where children and families can bounce around on trampolines. It would be Nova's second such location.

A popular form of indoor entertainment, trampoline parks are making their way into several former retail areas, occupying space in malls and shopping plazas.

According to East Hartford Town Planner Carlene Shaw, this development is one of many in that part of town, something that is much sought-after given a recent past of vacant storefronts, decaying buildings, and empty lots there.

She said, for example, the town in recent months has taken land by eminent domain off Silver Lane to facilitate a 400-unit apartment building.

In January 2022, Stop & Shop closed the supermarket on Silver Lane and the site has been vacant since.

According to the application, Nova's trampoline park will feature a "state-of-the-art playground for toddlers, trampolines, rope course, soccer, dodgeball, basketball, and foam pit."

The business also promises to be a popular birthday party location for children and families and it will feature multiple party rooms, along with new bathroom facilities.

While the East Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission is meeting on Wednesday, May 8, Shaw said this application won't go before the town until next month.

"It is on the docket for the June 12 PZC meeting as a special permit," Shaw said.

The listed applicant is Jiamin Chen, who said in the application Nova "will help kids in the community have more places to go and keep kids off the streets."

In addition, Chen said in the application, the proposal would add job opportunities to East Hartford, along with more recreational options regionally.

Shaw said before any PZC activity on the application, the plan will go before the public at a public hearing, which is slated for June 12.

The East Hartford PZC meets that day at 7 p.m. at the Community Cultural Center, 50 Chapman Place in East Hartford.

A hearing is needed, Shaw said, because this particular use is classified as commercial/recreation and it would be taking place in a business zone.

She said a vote on the application could come as soon as June 12, but the PZC could also extend the hearing a month or extend any action on it as well.

For application information on the 940 Silver Lane project, click on this link.

For more information on other East Hartford developments, click on this link.

For more information on Nova Trampoline Park, click on this link.