From "livable" to living legacy - Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Column

American Forests, Sept-Oct, 1994 by Gail Garretson

Being described as "an inspiration" with "tremendous vision" is something of which any of us would be proud. Being called "a driving force" at 94 is something most of us can only dream about.

But that's how Dr. Neil Odenwald, professor of landscape architecture at Louisiana State University, describes Baton Rouge native Steele Burden. Burden has spent his life beautifying the campus of Louisiana State University and the city of Baton Rouge for generations to come.

Burden shrugs off being born in 1900, saying, "It makes the birthdays easier to count." Through his generosity, community spirit, and love of nature--combined with his life's work as a landscaper--Burden has given his hometown treasures few cities have. And instead of using his age as an excuse to slow down, Burden "continues to be a driving force behind new landscape project development" at LSU, Odenwald says.

In 1921, Burden's family moved to the 500-acre Windrush Plantation, now within Baton Rouge city limits, which had been in his family since the 1830s. The youngest of three children, he began planting trees, both hardwood and softwood to make the place "livable."

Behind the original--and still-standing home--Burden and his mother, Miss Ollie as she was known, designed and planted a one-acre formal garden. Through the years he has expanded it to 25 acres, including a semi-formal garden and well-maintained natural area. Known as Windrush Gardens, the area contains native plants, two ponds, and winding paths and walkways.

But Burden's passion for planting trees goes beyond a personal interest in landscaping. Spanning almost 40 years--from 1932 until 1970--he was a landscape architect part-time for Louisiana State University. Responsible for the majorit of live oaks--his favorite species--and cypress trees in Baton Rouge, he also planted crape myrtles, Japanese magnolias, and a variety of other oaks throughout the city and on campus grounds.

"Architects have come and gone, leaving their buildings as individual stamps on the campus. But the live oaks Mr. Burden planted unify the diversity of buildings and open space," says Odenwald. "The library quadrangle contains a forest of live oaks that provide sought-after shade in summer as well as a gathering place."

Burden also served as city park superintendent for Baton Rouge until 1940, landscaping the City Park picnic area and golf course that cover 150 acres. His contributions also extend to many city landmarks, including Catholic High School, and Our Lady of the Lake and Earl K. Long Memorial hospitals.

In 1965, Burden and his sister decided to preserve the integrity of Windbrush b donating land to well-intentioned organizations. Thirty acres were given to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital for a medical center and nursing home, where Burden now lives. Another 30 acres were given to the Sisters of St. Francis for a convent. The Rural Life Museum that Burden founded occupies 10 acres adjacent t Windrush Gardens and offers a glimpse of what farmers' lives were like at the beginning of this century.

The remaining 430 acres were donated to Louisiana State University for horticultural and agricultural research--with the stipulation that 200 of those acres that contain old-growth forest are to remain undeveloped and therefore preserved for posterity.

"It is amazing to have this tract of land in the middle of the city," Burden says. "Many people come here to enjoy nature." The museum and garden provide a rare, old-growth urban forest and valuable greenspace for local citizens as wel as tourists from all over.

When asked about remaining a bachelor, Burden quips, "I wouldn't have had time to plant trees if I'd been married." Still active in landscaping projects "as much as I can be at 94," Burden also talks to visitors daily at the Rural Life Museum.