University of Virginia Library

Larry G. Steward

Environment-Conscious Landscaper

Profile

By Walter Bardenwerper
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Students angry at an abundance of
mud and a scarcity of parking space often
direct their blasts at that catch-all
scapegoat, the Department of Buildings
and Grounds.

The man at whom these curses are
unknowingly hurled is Larry G. Steward,
Assistant Director for Landscape. In that
position, he is responsible for all aspects of
landscape preservation and maintenance. "No
two days are the same," he says, "and I love the
work."

Mr. Steward is from Ohio, where he grew up
on a farm near Columbus, and took a degree in
Landscape Horticulture from Ohio State
University. He credits his background in
agriculture and his studies in landscape as
having made him very conscious of the living
environment of the University in this period of
rapid structural development.

His three-fold conception of the University
as "a college campus, an arboretum, and a
renowned collection of formal gardens" is
manifested in his dedication to the preservation
of the aesthetic appeal for which the University
is famous.

When Mr. Steward describes the nature of
the landscape problems here, one gets the
feeling that maybe things are being done after
all, in simultaneously maintaining a National
Historic Landmark and a functioning
University.

His Midwestern knack for getting to the
point and avoiding vague, time-wasting excuses
helps him relate the reasons for, and solutions
of, the problems which cause inconvenience to
students.

For instance, the drainage problems near the
dormitories and Cabell Hall are due to the
nature of the soil and resultant settling as well
as construction errors from past work. Some of
these spots will need total re landscaping, hence
the delay.

Another example of common interest is the
snow removal project which he described as "a
mammoth job, done without any city, county,
or state help." (He and his men were working
around the clock during the New Year's storm).

Limitations on personnel and equipment,
and the sheer numbers of problems that occur
every day, have delayed many needed projects,
he explains. This may be little consolation at
those who hurl the curses, but Mr. Steward
takes the criticism in stride, directing as much
of his effort as possible to permanent solutions.

His knowledge of horticulture ats revealed
some arboreal anomalies on the grounds. He
described one instance, where, by "good
fortune a grove of cedars was saved from
destruction when it was discovered that they
were the only Arizona Cedars east of the
Mississippi River."

Much of his work (the part he says he enjoys
most) involves the preservation of exceptional
vegetation and reforestation of areas of the
grounds that have undergone construction
projects.

As an example, the Observatory Hill area
will hopefully some day look much like it did
before the construction of dormitories — (if
people will stop annihilating the saplings behind
Webb House," he says.)

Like all good administrators should, Mr.
Steward says he finds bureaucracy occasionally
exasperating.

The numerous committees with which he
deals, as well as the complex paths of funding
for projects sometimes obscure the goals of his
department, but he philosophically accepts the
red tape for what it is, explaining, "You can't
change anything for the better with haste, but
patience will be rewarded if we keep in mind
the outcome we are looking for." In the

interim, he goes about the diverse areas of
solving the daily University maintenance
problems.

Mr. Steward's rapport with his men is a
source of pride to him, and one would think
that he would have no trouble maintaining a
staff. Unfortunately, there is no way to make
some of the work easier, and there is no real
opportunity for advancement, therefore good
men often leave.

This is a very real problem, and something
he said that he would like to alleviate. His own
position also has been deserted often, creating
inefficient turnover problems. But, with his
optimistic outlook and his enjoyment of the
work, it looks like Larry Steward will lend
some longevity to a position that needs his
attitudes and talent.