Building Dreams in Omaha
How Funlandia Guided Kipp Through Design, Construction, and Permits
When Michael Blatchford set out to create Kipp KIDS INDOOR PLAY PARK in Omaha, Nebraska, he had a dream: to build a vibrant, safe, and welcoming indoor play environment where families could bond, children could thrive, and the community could gather. But like many entrepreneurs venturing into the indoor amusement industry, he soon found himself facing a maze of design, construction, and—perhaps most daunting of all—city permit challenges.
This is the story of how Funlandia helped make that dream a reality.
Meeting Michael: A Vision Takes Root in Omaha
In late 2023, during a business development visit across the United States, Funlandia’s CEO Edward Wang learned of Michael’s project through local industry contacts. Recognizing its potential and the passion behind it, Edward personally flew to Omaha to meet Michael and walk the proposed site in person.
What began as an exploratory conversation quickly turned into a deep and productive exchange. On site, Edward listened to Michael’s ideas, concerns, and aspirations—offering early-stage insights on spatial planning, safety considerations, and branding opportunities. It was during this visit that the foundation of a trusted partnership was laid.
The Real Challenge: Navigating the City Permit Process
Building an indoor amusement park in the United States involves more than just great design and equipment. City permit requirements can vary dramatically across municipalities and often involve complex reviews related to building codes, fire safety, accessibility (ADA), and zoning.
Michael knew the permit process would be difficult—but what he didn’t expect was how much Funlandia would step in to help.
Enter Wendy, Funlandia’s project manager. From the earliest design phase, Wendy worked closely with Michael to understand the local compliance landscape and integrate regulatory requirements directly into the planning process. She coordinated with Funlandia’s design and engineering teams to produce a permit-ready package that included:
Structural calculations and architectural layouts aligned with IBC and local fire code
Fire safety material reports, ADA-compliant access design, and detailed egress plans
Safety documentation including ASTM and NFPA certifications
Responsive design revisions to address feedback from local permit officers
Wendy also acted as the communication bridge between Funlandia and Michael throughout the permitting process—helping him interpret requirements, prepare paperwork, and avoid costly missteps.
Visit our factory online with Wendy
Funlandia's Helps in city permit
Designing More Than a Playground—Designing a Brand
Discussion process about color
At the start, Michael had only a loose vision for what Kipp would look and feel like. With no fixed color scheme or branding identity, he relied heavily on Funlandia’s creative direction.
The Final Design
Funlandia’s design team, guided by Wendy’s detailed client insights, developed more than 10 different color and theme proposals before landing on a vibrant jungle-inspired scheme built around active greens and natural tones. The result? A visually immersive, family-friendly environment that invites children to climb, jump, explore—and return again and again.
Brand logo and Style
Even more impressively, the Kipp brand name and logo were finalized based on the park’s final design, a testament to how cohesive and brand-defining Funlandia’s creative process had become.
Delivering the Dream: Construction, Installation, and Opening Day
With permits secured and the design approved, Funlandia began production at its facility and shipped the custom-built trampoline systems, slides, soft play structures, and toddler zones to Omaha. On the ground, Funlandia’s installation team worked with precision and professionalism—earning high praise from Michael and setting a new standard for reliability.
Wendy remained involved throughout the build, quickly responding to site adjustments, coordinating logistics, and ensuring that every detail aligned with local requirements.
Kipp opened its doors on February 10, 2025, with a full offering that includes:
Soft play structures with slides and climbing elements
A dedicated soft play zone for infants and toddlers
Party and event spaces for birthdays and fundraisers
The response from the Omaha community was immediate and enthusiastic. Within weeks, Kipp became the city’s largest and most talked-about indoor play park.
Looking Ahead: More Than Just a Park—A Partnership
For Michael, Kipp is more than a business—it’s the realization of a personal dream. And for Funlandia, it’s more than a project—it’s a partnership built on trust, creativity, and shared purpose.
“Without Funlandia,” Michael shared, “this park wouldn’t be what it is today. They didn’t just supply equipment—they guided me every step of the way.”
From Edward’s personal visit, to Wendy’s tireless project management, to the design and engineering teams behind the scenes—this success story is a reflection of Funlandia’s core promise:
We don’t just build parks—we build partnerships.
