Steve Barnhart, M.L.A., OALA has over 25 years’ experience in Environmental planning and design starting in private practice with the last 17 years in public sector landscape architecture. In his most recent position as senior executive with the Niagara Parks Commission he provides oversight for the organization’s 1325 hectares on environmental planning and stewardship, cultural heritage and landscape design. Steve oversees the strategic long range master planning for the 56 km parkway system along with the development of policy and planning strategies to deliver on the organization’s mandate of environmental and cultural stewardship for the Niagara River corridor. Active projects include the creation of a new landscape forecourt to support the Toronto Power Station 5 star hotel development, a reimagined circulation system for the core of Queen Victoria Park, revitalization of the Niagara Parks Marina, coastal wetland rehabilitation, design of a 2-acre Children’s Garden, creation of a 600 meter outdoor skating loop.
Prior to Niagara Parks Steve was with City of Hamilton responsible for Park Planning and implementation of open space capital projects and managing forestry and horticulture. Steve has worked on a wide range of projects including master plans, Heritage restoration sites, waterfront development, transportation, storm water management systems and visual impact assessments and provided expert witness testimony at the Environmental Review Tribunal. Steve is a registered Landscape Architect with the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects since 2000 and currently serving as the association’s past president. Steve graduated with a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph and with a Bachelor of Earth Science from the University of Waterloo. Steve received the OALA Public Practice award in 2016 and the President’s award in 2024.
Photo credits:
1 Niagara Parks Power Station lower tunnel viewing platform
2 Viewing platform in context of the lower Niagara River at the base of the Horseshoe Falls
3 Niagara Parks co-leads Marcelo Gruosso and Steve Barnhart
4 Redevelopment of the Artist Garden and Niagara parks to include Mosaiculture horticulture installations, Dragon featured
5 Restoration of Dufferin Islands shoreline, Niagara Parks team installing bio-engineering materials to repair eroded edge
6 Gonder’s Flats constructed 2 acre wetland and associated fish habitat
7 Niagara Parks Power Station entry plaza shown at night with artifact sculpture in foreground
8 Red Hill Pedestrian crossing over the QEW highway , east end of Hamilton
