Woodbury, Minnesota

History of Woodbury, Minnesota

Woodbury, Minnesota, is a Washington County community in the eastern Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. Its history traces the transformation of a farming township into a suburban, commercial and recreational center. According to the city’s historical account, settlers arrived in 1844, and the community organized as a township in 1858. Originally called Red Rock, it became Woodbury in 1859 after state lawmakers identified another Minnesota township with the same name. The new name honored Levi Woodbury of New Hampshire, a judge and public official who was a friend of the first town board chairman.

Woodbury’s early population included immigrants from Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, Scotland and Denmark. Agriculture shaped the community before suburban development accelerated in the 1960s. In 1967, residents approved village incorporation and a mayor-council government, and the community developed its first comprehensive land-use plan. These milestones help explain the relationship between Woodbury’s agricultural heritage and its present-day neighborhoods, business districts, parks and public facilities.

For geographic context, an approximate map reference for Woodbury is 44.9239° N, 92.9594° W. Minnesota’s statewide latitude-longitude reference is approximately 45.7326° N, 93.9196° W. These are general geographic reference points, not property boundaries or street-address coordinates.

Sources: City of Woodbury, History of Woodbury · Geodatos

Government & Politics

Woodbury’s elected government consists of a mayor and four city council members, elected at large to staggered four-year terms. The city’s published directory lists Mayor Anne Burt and council members Donna Stafford, Steve Morris, Jennifer Santini and Kim Wilson. Municipal offices provide services including public safety, infrastructure maintenance, planning, economic development, and parks and recreation.

• City of Woodbury / City Hall: 8301 Valley Creek Road, Woodbury, MN 55125. Phone: 651-714-3500
• Mayor Anne Burt: City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek Road. Phone: 651-714-3576
• Woodbury Police Department: 2100 Radio Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125. Administrative phone: 651-714-3600; non-emergency dispatch: 651-439-9381. For emergencies, call 911.
• Woodbury Emergency Medical & Fire Services: Department phone: 651-714-3600. For emergencies, call 911.
• Woodbury Public Works Department: 2301 Tower Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125. Phone: 651-714-3720
• Woodbury Economic Development: Phone: 651-714-3533 for business-development inquiries
• Woodbury Parks and Recreation: M Health Fairview Sports Center, 4125 Radio Drive, Woodbury, MN 55129. Phone: 651-714-3583

Sources: City Services · City directory · Public Safety directory · Public Works directory

Colleges & Universities

Woodbury residents have access to higher-education institutions in neighboring communities. The city highlights nearby colleges, universities and technical institutions as resources for continuing education and workforce training.

Rasmussen University’s Lake Elmo/Woodbury campus offers career-focused programs in fields including nursing, business, health sciences, education and technology; prospective students should confirm current program availability directly with the university. Although the campus name includes Woodbury, its address is in Lake Elmo. Century College and Inver Hills Community College are other regional options.

• Rasmussen University, Lake Elmo/Woodbury campus: 8565 Eagle Point Circle, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
• Century College: 3300 Century Avenue North, White Bear Lake, MN 55110. Phone: 651-444-2000
• Inver Hills Community College: 2500 80th Street East, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076. Phone: 651-450-3000

Sources: Woodbury Demographics · Chamber of Commerce listing · Century College

Transportation & Public Transit

Interstate 94 is a key regional transportation connection for Woodbury, linking the city with Saint Paul, Minneapolis and western Wisconsin. For public transportation, the city directs residents to Metro Transit and regional transit services for routes, schedules and trip planning. Because service patterns change, travelers should check current schedules rather than rely on an older route number or timetable.

Woodbury Theatre Park & Ride gives commuters a recognizable park-and-ride location. Residents in areas without regular fixed-route coverage can use Transit Link, an advance-reservation service, which can also help older adults and families visiting loved ones in Woodbury.

• Metro Transit Information Center: Phone: 612-373-3333
• Woodbury Theatre Park & Ride: 1470 Queens Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
• Transit Link reservations: Phone: 651-602-5465
• Woodbury City Hall (transit information): 8301 Valley Creek Road, Woodbury, MN 55125

Sources: Woodbury Bus Service · Woodbury Economic Development

Parks & Outdoors

Woodbury’s parks offer destinations for trail recreation, nature observation, cycling, golf and organized sports. Carver Lake Park includes access to a 5.5-mile off-road cycling trail. The city also maintains a beach-information page; visitors should check posted water-quality notices before planning water activities.

Tamarack Nature Preserve protects a wetland and woodland landscape with approximately two miles of trails. The city describes its wetland as a rich fen and notes that the preserve contains one of Minnesota’s southernmost stands of tamarack trees. Powers Lake Park and Powers Lake East provide additional destinations for exploring Woodbury’s lake landscapes. The sports-center campus also includes Madison’s Place Playground and a splash pad. For local sports fans, the East Ridge Raptors and Woodbury Royals are the community’s recognizable high-school teams.

• Carver Lake Park: 3175 Century Avenue South, Woodbury
• Tamarack Nature Preserve: 1825 Tower Drive, Woodbury
• Powers Lake Park: 10000 Brookview Road, Woodbury
• Powers Lake East: 1407 St. Johns Drive, Woodbury
• Eagle Valley Golf Course: 2600 Double Eagle Lane, Woodbury
• Andy’s Bark Park: 11664 Dale Road, Woodbury
• M Health Fairview Sports Center (with Madison’s Place Playground and splash pad): 4125 Radio Drive, Woodbury

Source: Woodbury Parks and Trails Map

Famous Landmarks

Central Park is a recognizable indoor community destination. The city identifies it as an indoor park, and the same address houses R.H. Stafford Library, making it a go-to place for indoor activities, library services and community gatherings in Woodbury, Minnesota.

M Health Fairview Sports Center brings sports facilities and family recreation amenities together on one campus. The Loft Stage at East Ridge High School is a similarly recognizable cultural destination. These are notable local places, distinct from formally designated historic sites.

• Central Park and R.H. Stafford Library: 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury
• M Health Fairview Sports Center: 4125 Radio Drive, Woodbury
• The Loft Stage at East Ridge High School: 4200 Pioneer Drive, Woodbury

Sources: Woodbury Parks and Trails Map · Destination Woodbury