Discover Fall Engagement Session at Woodside Park, Rochester, MN
Today, I will share Katie and Zach’s fall engagement photos, taken in a pretty, unknown park in Rochester:Woodside Park.
We will discuss the great potential of this park, its advantages and limitations, so you can decide whether to include it in your next photoshoot or not.
Table of Contents
Presentation of the Woodside Park
Located along Highway 52, on the IBM campus, this gigantic 108.6-acre park once belonged to IBM and was originally named IBM Woodside Park.
The park, mostly covered in lawns, features many walking trails lined with majestic maple trees, oak trees, elm trees, and other Minnesota species.
Woodside Park is best known for its Disc Golf Course, but it also offers a baseball field, a playground, two tennis courts, a volleyball court, and a picnic area. On the southwest side, the park becomes wilder, with prairie areas, cranberry trees, and small wooded sections.
Near the entrance, you’ll find a tiny pond called Lake Maroo, which might sound fancy, but let’s be honest, it’s more of a glorified puddle.
Originally, the park was intended for IBM staff, but since IBM has closed most of its buildings, it has become a quiet, peaceful park. Lucky for us—that means fewer people wandering into the background of your engagement photos!
What Makes This Park Great for Photography?
- Its Size
In photography, one of the easiest ways to achieve a nice blurry background is to create distance between the subject (the couple) and the background. Since Woodside Park is slightly hilly with open views, it offers plenty of space to create beautiful depth in your photos. - Its Orientation to the Sun
The best spots for photos are located near the highway—and, as you can imagine, we’d rather not have cars in the background. Fortunately, photographers (or at least I) love shooting backlit images. The good news? In the afternoon, we’ll be shooting facing west, which keeps the highway out of sight and lets us take advantage of the golden light. - Its Beautiful Tree-Lined Walkways
This park features large elm, maple, oak, and cranberry trees, all of which are naturally photogenic. - Its Sports Fields & Fences
While you may not think of sports fields as engagement photo locations, fences can actually be great photography elements for framing shots and adding texture to images. - Incredible Fall Colors
Every single one of these trees turns brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall, making this park a hidden gem for autumn engagement sessions.
What Are the Limitations of This Park?
Access and Parking
The park now belongs to Industrial Realty Group, and they have blocked access via Marketplace Dr NW. To enter the park, you must use 37th St NW, take International Business Machine Road, and follow it to the park.
Once there, you’ll find several parking lots, which are usually empty most of the time—one of the rare benefits of a former corporate campus.
No River or Large Lake
Many Minnesotans love engagement photos with water as a backdrop. However, Woodside Park is one of the few parks in the area without a large lake or river to use for photos.
That said, if having water in your engagement session is important, you can always add a second location, such as Silver Lake or the Zumbro River shoreline, to complement your session.
What Complementary Locations Can You Use?
While Woodside Park is great for nature-focused photos, you may want to add variety to your session by incorporating a second location. Here are some excellent options to consider.
Historic Locations
Rochester has several beautiful historic buildings that add a touch of sophistication and elegance to engagement photos.
- The Plummer House – A historic estate that also serves as a wedding venue.
- The Southwest Historic District – A charming neighborhood with century-old villas perfect for strolling and capturing timeless portraits.
- The Plummer Building – Its ornate copper doors make it one of the most Instagrammable locations in Rochester.
- The Mayo Foundation House – While private, this historic residence can be photographed from the sidewalk.
- The Former Olmsted County Bank – Features grand architecture that adds a vintage urban feel.
- The Former Rochester City Hall – A classic brick building with an old-world charm.
- The Historic Kahler Grand Hotel – Known for its beautiful lobby and luxurious suites, which are often used for wedding preparations.
Midwest Downtown Charm
Rochester’s downtown is filled with red-brick buildings that are remnants of its industrial past. Many of these buildings have been converted into restaurants and affordable wedding venues, making them a great backdrop for urban engagement photos.
Modern Architecture
If you prefer a sleek, contemporary look, a modern glass building can be a great complementary location.
Consider:
- The Gonda Building – A towering structure with a blue-tinted glass façade.
- Modern Hotels – Options like J. Powers, Marriott, or DoubleTree provide elegant and modern settings.
- The Kellen Building – One of the newest additions to downtown Rochester’s skyline.
- One Discovery Square – A stylish, high-tech research building with sharp angles and glass reflections.
- The Rochester Art Center – A contemporary space with geometric designs and artistic elements.
Bonus: Pick a Rooftop for a Big-City Feel
If you follow my blog, you already know—I’m a big fan of parking rooftop photos. They add a sense of freedom and urban energy, making them a unique addition to engagement sessions.
That’s exactly what Katie and Zach chose to do to end their session. We headed to the 3rd Street Parking Ramp, which offers a perfect view of the Plummer Building tower (the Mayo Clinic’s most famous building)—a great way to wrap up their engagement shoot with a mix of city and sky.
Final Thoughts: a hidden gem to use before it is gone
Woodside Park is a hidden gem in Rochester, offering a mix of open landscapes, tree-lined walkways, and a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for couples who want a quiet, natural setting for their engagement session. While it doesn’t have a lake or river views, its spacious layout, fall colors, and variety of backdrops make it an excellent choice for nature lovers.
Today, Woodside Park is owned by Industrial Realty Group (IRG), a private real estate development and investment firm. They are planning to develop housing and a sports facility.
In other words, this park won’t last very long. So you’d better use it before it’s destroyed.
If you want to add variety to your session, combining Woodside Park with a historic downtown location, a modern glass building, or even a rooftop with a city skyline can give you a diverse gallery of photos.
Are you planning your engagement session in Rochester?
I’d love to help you find the perfect locations and create stunning, meaningful images for you. Contact me today to start planning your engagement photos!
Rochester, MN 55901
