In 2019, the Knights of Vartan Philadelphia Chapter along with a diverse group of Philadelphia Armenian community members joined forces to restore the existing Young Meher statue.

The statue has been a public symbol of the Philadelphia Armenian Community for almost 50 years and was in need of repair.

The call to action prompted the group to establish the Young Meher Statue Committee.

Engagement with the City of Philadelphia art director began.

Preliminary plans for the statue restoration were developed.

The committee decided to pivot and ponder whether the original modest restoration project  scope could be reimagined as something larger that would transform the space around the statue.

Inspired by their predecessors, the committee decided to continue the legacy by developing a much broader scope with far greater impact for future generations of Armenians to enjoy.

While navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee began to explore the possibilities. 

• How could we revive the statue in a more prominent way?

• How far could we extend this idea?

• Could we get access to the ground around the statue?

• How would the boundaries of the site be determined?

• Would the owners of the site support the idea?

• Would the public support the idea?

• How would we fill this site?

• What would we call the new site?

• Will the Armenian community support and fund a project of this magnitude?

• Would we be able to build and maintain the site for decades to come?

With the full faith of the community behind the committee, the scope expanded.

A volunteer architect, landscape designer, and contractor began working on various concepts.

The Committee also established the original Mission Statement.

Engagement with multiple Philadelphia departments along with other private stakeholders began.

Collaboration and routine dialog were established with the first three primary stakeholders:

• Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR)

• Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA)

• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS)​

The Committee instantly received positive feedback on the concepts.

Concepts quickly turned into designs, all with varying scale.

Each design was meticulously reviewed in attempt to capture every detail authentically.

The designs brought together some key structural elements that include:​

• Boulders symbolizing Armenia's mountainous landscape​

• Fluid walkway system to allow the public to slow down, learn, and contemplate

• "Stations" along the Walk as locations for new Armenian heritage-inspired public art

• Robust landscape and plantings inspired by species native to Armenia

• Refined lighting system intended to illuminate the site

The committee also decide to name the site the "Armenian Heritage Walk."

The impacted stakeholders began defining detailed requirements and constraints.

Particular attention was given to the existing 80-foot American Elm tree adjacent to the statue.

In the past 50 years, the elm has grown to a height that completely dwarfs the statue.

After realizing the symbolic and historical significance of the American Elm tree in the United States, the Committee began to explore ways to keep the tree integrated in the design.

Multiple inspections and assessments were performed to determine the viability of the tree.

Three separate independent arborists were engaged to provide input.

Eventually, the tree was determined to be in fair condition even though it suffered tremendous stress from previous utility projects in the area.

In addition, the committee began to prioritize the need for access in order to maintain the site continuously at the highest possible standard.

The committee also set a budget estimate and plan to fund the project fully and established an endowment through mostly private donors.

By November the final version of the design was presented and the three primary stakeholders agreed to endorse the project.

With the success of the previous year and the need to formalize legal agreements, the committee decided to transform itself into a legal foundation.

The Armenian Heritage Foundation of Philadelphia, a new domestic nonprofit corporation, was created in order to install and maintain the Walk effectively while educating the public ​on the Armenian heritage.

Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Philadelphia Museum of Art,
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society all signed a joint letter to:

• “..support and endorse the conceptual plans of the Armenian Heritage Foundation of Philadelphia for the Armenian Heritage Walk.”

• ​​"The Armenian Heritage Walk Committee has demonstrated its commitment to work, act and proceed in a professional and collaborative manner to design a project that meets the expectations of our organizations."

• “OACCE appreciates the passionate advocacy of the Armenian Heritage Foundation in stewarding the Young Meher statue and educating the public about the contributions and history of Armenian culture through the creation of Armenian Heritage Walk.”
• “We thoroughly look forward to continue working with the Armenian Heritage Foundation to support these proposed changes to this important statue within the Armenian community and the City’s renowned collection of public art.”

An engineering firm was identified, engaged, and began developing final drawings of the site.

Fundraising and marketing subcommittees were formed.

Selection of materials, sizes, colors, and textures for the stonework were narrowed.

Initial discussion on legal agreements with the city commenced.