Youngsters skipped, hopped, crawled and climbed over and around toadstools and caterpillars, while their package-laden parents took a break from shopping and sat on padded benches surrounding a new play park inside Rushmore Mall.

Located on the eastern end of the mall near Sears and Old Navy, the play park is a joint project of Rushmore Mall and the Rapid City Journal.

"This is an amenity that most of the Macerich properties have, so we were very proud to bring it to the Rapid City area," Karen Waltman, Rushmore Mall's senior manager of property management, said during Saturday's grand opening. "These are so popular, and it just adds a nice element to the shopping experience for children and families."

The play park will be open during the mall's normal hours. Children shorter than 42 inches tall may use the park, and parents are asked to accompany and chaperone them.

Troy Kilpatrick, Journal circulation director, said the newspaper was proud to partner with Rushmore Mall to provide the play area for the community's children.

"It just shows our commitment to our communities and to families. Working with Rushmore Mall is just a neat way to do that," he said.

Name the Zoo Crew

The Journal and Rushmore Mall are teaming up to offer a Name the Zoo Crew contest with a chance to win a $100 Rushmore Mall gift card and receive name recognition at the Rushmore Mall playground.

Entry forms are available at the mall. Color and name the animals, and submit entries at the mall starting Dec. 8. The deadline to enter is Dec. 17.

Contact Scott Aust at 394-8415, or scott.aust@rapidcityjournal.com