Woodland Mall Enacts New Age Restriction Policy

In response to concerns from the community and police, Grand Rapids' Woodland Mall is enacting a new age restriction policy for Saturday evenings.

The mall announced on December 3 that the change will go into effect on Saturday, December 7, 2024.

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Under the new restrictions, anyone under the age of 18 will have to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian over the age of 21 if they are in the mall after 6 p.m.

The mall says that this is to "provide a secure and family-friendly shopping environment."

The policy doesn't just cover the inside of the mall, in a statement on their website, Woodland Mall says that it also applies to parking lots, garages, mall walkways, and any corridor leading to the mall.

How Will Woodland Mall's New Age Restriction Policy Be Enforced?

If you're curious, police will not be patrolling the corridors of the mall looking for offenders. However, the mall says that their security personnel will enforce the policy and will keep an eye on people entering the mall after 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

If a minor is in the mall at 6 p.m. without a parent or guardian, they must immediately leave the mall.

READ MORE: Why is the Parking Structure at Woodland Mall a Wavy Nightmare? 

Heading to the mall with your child and a few friends? That's a-okay. According to the new policy, a parent or legal guardian can escort up to four youths, but at least one of them must be their child.

How Will Woodland Mall Know if Someone is Under the Age of 18?

Under the new policy, security personnel can and will ask for proof of age if it is unclear that the age of the person can't easily be determined otherwise. Acceptable forms of ID are a state-issued driver's license or ID, a school ID, or an ID from an employer that displays the person's birthdate.

What Happens if You Violate Woodland Mall's New Age Restriction Policy?

Under the new policy, anyone found in violation who refuses to leave the premises when asked may be prosecuted for trespassing.

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My Child is Under 18 and Works at Woodland Mall - Does This Affect Them?

In short, no. If a minor works in the mall, they are allowed to be on the premises without a parent or guardian if they are working. Said minors will be asked to show proof of work status and must go directly to their place of employment upon entering the mall, and then leave the mall at the conclusion of their shift.

You can read the full 'Parental Supervision Policy' on the mall's website.