Woodbury was established as the Red Rock Township in 1858  The name was changed after it was realized that there was already a Red Rock Town in Minnesota.  The city was then named Woodbury to honor Levi Woodbury, a United States Senator and Supreme Count Justice (among other government-related positions). Woodbury was mostly woods when the first settlers arrived. It quickly turned into a farming community with wheat as the primary crop. They also grew corn, potatoes, and barley, and later on soybeans. It grew into a thriving dairying community because the land was particularly amenable to it, and they made leaps and bound in agriculture technology.  Many of the earliest settlers were from Germany and eastern states. Residential and commercial development in Woodbury progressed at a leisurely pace. The first housing development, Woodbury Heights, was built in 1955. After that, urban development took over, and the area slowly changed from farmland to metropolitan. The Village of Woodbury formed in 1967, and Woodbury become a city in 1974. By 1975, farming had mostly disappeared from Woodbury. In the 1980s, commercial and residential development started taking off, and the population doubled by the 1990s. It's the fastest growing cities in Washington County. It went from 10,000 people in 1980 to roughly 46,500 in 2000 to about 64,500 in 2012.

Woodbury has a 2040 Comprehensive Plan that includes several areas of environmental policy that they are tackling. Chapter 8 is Parks, Recreation and Open Space; Chapter 9 is Natural Resources; Chapter 10 is Sanitary Sewer; Chapter 11 is Water Supply; Chapter 12 is Surface Water. The plan provides the goals the City wants to obtain by 2040, and they include greenway corridors, urban forestry, and 'one water' vision. The City also has an Environment Division who handle all the environmental issues. They can answer any conservation concerns that members of the community might have. They award Environmental Excellence Awards to people, businesses, and organizations who are forward-thinking about the environment. Anyone in the community can submit a nomination, and the awards are handed out annually. The Environment Division also has the GreenTime Environmental Newslewtter which can be found on their website. In 2021, they assessed the environmental sustanibility needs of the  study. Then, they established three 2022-2024 StrategicInitiatives: Public Safety; Environmental Stewardship; and Drinking Water. In the Environmental Stewardship category, they have a completed draft for what they hope to accomplish. You can see it here. They have it broken down into sections such as Buildings and Energy; Waste Management; Local Food and Agriculture; and Greenspace and Ecosystems, to name a few. They summarize what the community wants in each category, and then they list the specific actions they will take to reach concrete statistical improvements. They have more info about how they gathered the data and the community questionnaire they sent out here. Woodbury joined the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program in 2013. They achieved Step 5 in 2024. This is a look at how they did it.

Many of the cities around the Twin Cities metro area have their crime data published on the Community Crime Map. This is a great resource for looking at what is going on in various cities. Another great resource is to check with the city's local police department. The have a lot of data available for public use. Community Crime Map
Minneapolis publishes to the Community Crime Map, but also has a couple specific resources that are not on there:
Check out the Minneapolis Police Department website: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/statistics/index.htm
The Shots Fired Map is unique to Minneapolis. They installed a system of microphones that can detect locations of shots fired based on triangulation of the sounds from the microphones.
Edina does not publish to the Community Crime Map (as of 2019) so here is a link to their site: https://www.edinamn.gov/326/Crime-Data-Map

Andy's Bark Park - (11664 Dale Rd.,, 651-714-3583) Andy's Bark Park is named after the Police Department's first K9 officer, and it is, obviously, a dog park. It's roughly seventy acres of wild nature through which the dogs can run and frolic. They can meet other dogs and socialize to their hearts' content. There is plenty of water available (water faucets) so the pooches won't get overheated. There are trails to walk/hike/run and plenty of open space. A dog license is needed in order to go to the park.
Carver Lake Park - (3175 Century Ave. S,, 651-714-3583) Carver Lake Park is an idyllic natural setting in the heart of the city, and it can be a breathe of literal fresh air in the middle of a hectic day. It is filled with things to do for everyone in the family, ranging from trails (hiking and biking, both regular and mountain) to plenty of beach area for sunning and swimming. There are no guards on the beach. There are also beach and sand volleyball, playground equipment for the younger set, and plenty of space for a nice, mid-afternoon picnic in the summer.
Ojibway Park - (2685 Ojibway Dr.,, 651-714-3583) Ojiway Park is a neighborhood favorite, especially skaters as there is a skate park within it. There are also fields for football, football, and sand volleyball, and there's a diamond for baseball/softball as well. There's a playground area for the younger set, and there are plenty of places to have a summer picnic as well.

Duc's Restaurant - (783 Radio Dr., Suite 100B,, 651-735-1044) Duc's Restaurant is a Chinese/Vietnamese restaurant located in a strip mall. The decor is colorful, yet simple, and the service is friendly. It opened in 1996, and has been a neighborhood favorite ever since. The menu includes Szechuan-style chicken, coconut curry with vegetables, and pho. Their spicy dishes can be adjusted to your taste, and they have vegetarian options as well. They have takeout and catering, too.
Ramen Station - (1960 Donegal Dr., Suite 15,, 651-731-7888) Ramen Station is a Japanese restaurant that serves, naturally, ramen (as well as other Japanese foods). It has simple decor and fast service, and the food is simple (and tasty) as well. The menu includes tempura, takoyaki, and ramen. The ramen includes champon ramen, chicken ramen, and shoyu ramen. They also have yakisoba, yaki udon, and hibachi. They also have desserts such as fried ice cream and mochi ice cream (green tea or mango).
Sole Mio Ristorante - (1750 Weir Dr.,, 651-789-3220) Sole Mio Ristorante is an Italian restaurant owned by Angelo Montes, who is also the chef. He was born in Licata, Sicily and raised near Milan, and he has brought the tastes of his homelands to Minnesota. The restaurant is expansive and warm, and they have patio seating as well. The staff is friendly and welcoming. The menu features mussels alla pescatore, pizza, seafood cannelloni, cioppino, and ribeye sole mio. They also have a full gluten-free menu, which has penne rosa con carne and Angelo's medallions with risotto, among others. They have an extensive drink menu, too, which includes wine, beer, and cocktails.
Yang's Chinese Restaurant - (1568 Woodlane Dr.,, 651-731-3212) Yang's Chinese Restaurant has been serving your favorite comfort Chinese food to the community since 1990. The decor is nondescript, but the service is friendly. They use only the freshest ingredients, and they have both dine in and takeout. They have won many local awards for their food as well. They have a vast menu, and some of the favorites include Kung Pao Chicken, Beef & Broccoli, and their Empire Meal. They also have lo mein, chow mein, fried rice, and egg foo young. They have gluten-free and vegetarian options, too.
Ze's Diner - (2190 Eagle Creek Ln.,, 651-436-7196) Ze's Diner is owned by Zeze and Moody, and it is the second of their two Ze's Diner restaurants. It has a '50s diner vibe to it with a dash of Mediterranean flair, and the food is, like, groovy, man. The meals are home-cooked, and the service is very friendly. The breakfast menu includes Ze's Slam, a gyro omelet, pancakes, and a Belgian waffles combo. They also have burgers and sandwiches, entrees, and desserts. They are part of Uber Eats, and they do catering as well.

Cravings Wine Bar & Grille - (755 Bielenberg Dr., Suite 108,, 651-528-6828) Cravings Wine Bar & Grille is owned by Nameer Ameen, and it is a casual yet classy wine bar and grill that serves classic American fare along with other regional dishes. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the service is friendly. There is also a patio for summer dining/imbibing, and they have takeout if you want to enjoy their food at home. The menu includes Goat Cheese Ravioli, Braised Short Rib, and Charred Brussels Salad. They also have a full array of desserts, such as Bread Pudding, Chocolate Pecan Tarts (which are gluten free), and Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Cake. On the drinks side, they have plenty to offer, including wine, martinis, and signature cocktails such as the Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita. They have themed wine dinner nights, too, and plenty of other events.
Kelley Gallery Art & Frame - (8320 City Center Dr., Suite C,, 651-738-7776) Kelley Gallery is was opened in 1985 by Ed Kelley and his son, Don Kelley. They are most known for their custom frames, and they will go to great lengths to ensure the highest customer satisfaction. In addition, they represent several (inter)national artists including Bev Doolittle and Robert Bateman, and they provide corporate design as well. They count The Minnesota Wild among their clients in the latter category. They also represent local artists such as Pauly Cudd, Julie Schroeder, and Christina Keith. You can stop by the gallery to see what their artists have to offer.
O'Malley's Irish Pub - (1775 Radio Dr., #A,, 651-578-7007) O'Malley's Irish Pub was opened in 2005 to serve the community traditional Irish fare--including drinks. The decor is woody and hearty, and 95% of it was built by hand by the owners. It is family owned, and it's named after one of the owner's (Beth) grandfathers, Tim 'Papa' O'Malley. They have a patio that they use in the summer, and it's the perfect place to lift a pint of Guinness when the sun is shining. The menu includes Papa's Delights, Blarney Burger, O'Malley's Bangers & Mash, and an Irish BLT. Try the Molten Lava Cake for dessert. For drinks, they have lots and lots of beer. So much beer. All the beer you could want. And your first pint of Guinness is free with your order.
Tamarack Tap Room - (8418 Tamarack Village,, 651-330-2889) Tamarack Tap Room is located in Tamarack Village and it was opened by a group of fourteen people with divergent professions. The one thing they had in common was a love for good food and a place to enjoy the company of others. The decor is contemporary, yet homey, and the service is always with a smile. The menu includes Armadillo Eggs, street tacos, handcrafted burgers such as Wagyu Mushroom and Swiss, and David's Fish & Chips. They are happy to substitute a gluten-free bun for their burgers at a small charge. They also have sandwiches & wraps, BBQ, and so much more. They have vegetarian options, too.  Drinks-wise, they have beer, scotch, and bourbon, all of the finest quality. They have a patio so you can enjoy your dinner and drink outside in the summer.

Central Park Art Fair - (8959 Central Park Pl.,, 651-714-3799) The Central Park Art Fair is held to showcase local artists and to support the arts in the community. There will be paintings, pottery, jewelry, and crafts available for your perusal and purchase. It's a great way to find gifts in time for the holiday season while simultaneously supporting the local artists.
Cheers Pablo - (8362 Tamarack Village, Suite 112,, 651-207-5034) Cheers Pablo is a place where you can go to indulge in both your love of wine (and other foods and beverages) and painting. The main studio suits up to 50 people, and the second studio can seat 20. The artists who are the instructors are knowledgeable and cheerful, and they are eager to help you tap into your creative potential. There are large flat-screen TVs in the studio that demonstrate the steps the instructor is highlighting, and they stream music that encourages creativity. The drinks menu includes wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options such as pop, and the food includes slices of deep dish pizza and egg rolls. It's a great way to spend a fun artistic evening with family and/or friends.
Kelley Gallery Art & Frame - (8320 City Center Dr., Suite C,, 651-738-7776) Kelley Gallery is was opened in 1985 by Ed Kelley and his son, Don Kelley. They are most known for their custom frames, and they will go to great lengths to ensure the highest customer satisfaction. In addition, they represent several (inter)national artists including Bev Doolittle and Robert Bateman, and they provide corporate design as well. They count The Minnesota Wild among their clients in the latter category. They also represent local artists such as Pauly Cudd, Julie Schroeder, and Christina Keith. You can stop by the gallery to see what their artists have to offer.
Merrill Arts Center - (380 Rivertown Dr., Suite 200,, 612-399-6568) The Merrill Arts Center was put into motion in 2009/2010 when Dorothy Merrill bequeathed a substantial sum of money to have the center (formally named the Dorothy K. Merrill Fine Arts Center) built attached to the new high school, East Ridge High School. They put on several performances every year, and their past performances have included Cyrano de Bergerac and Matilda. They also have classes for kids and adults, such as an MEA Arts Sampler Camp and a Fall Directing Master Class. In addition, they have a program called SOS Youth that focuses on the problems today's teenagers are facing in the performances they produce. They believe in community and arts, and this is a great way to bring both together.

AUG: Woodbury Days - (2695 Ojibway Dr.,) Woodbury Days has been an annual event for nearly half a century, and it's a great opportunity for members of the community to gather and have fun together. It takes place in Ojibway Park, and there is something for everyone to enjoy. There are floats and fireworks, live music and raffles. There is a parade and there are rides, and, of course, there are foods and drinks. There is a bingo tent and there is a beer tent, and there's enough to enjoy for the entire weekend.
SEP: Harvest Festival at CityPlace Shopping - (305 Radio Dr.,) The Harvest Festival is an annual event that takes place at the CityPlace Shopping center. It is free to the public, and there is plenty to do for everyone. For the younger set, there is face painting, a prize wheel, games, and free pumpkins (while they last) for kids up to ten years old. There will be crafts and other activities for the adults, and it will be a good time for all.
OCT: Halloween Hoopla - (2695 Ojibway Dr.,) The Halloween Hoopla is a new tradition that takes place in Ojibway Park. It is an afternoon fun for the little ones, and it's sure to put a smile on everyone's face. The kids are encouraged to attend in costumes, and there will be a secret judge who will give away prizes. There will be trick-or-treating in the parking lot, and there will be mini pumpkins hidden so the kids can find them and then decorate them. There is a small entrance fee for each child, and the suggested ages are 3 - 8.
NOV: Central Park Art Fair - (8959 Central Park Pl.,) The Central Park Art Fair is held to showcase local artists and to support the arts in the community. There will be paintings, pottery, jewelry, and crafts available for your perusal and purchase. It's a great way to find gifts in time for the holiday season while simultaneously supporting the local artists.

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