In 2019, the Knights of Vartan Philadelphia Chapter, along with a diverse group of Philadelphia Armenian Community members joined forces to restore the "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 to discuss the restoration

Very early the committee began to ponder whether the original modest restoration project  scope could be reimagined into something bigger and better that would transform the space around the statue

Inspired by our predecessors, the committee determined a new legacy for future generations would have far greater impact.

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

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

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

• How far could we extend this idea?

• Who has ownership of the space, and would they support our ideas?

• How will we feel this open public space?

• What will we call the new space?

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

• Will we be able to both build and maintain the site for many years?

With the full faith of the community behind the committee, they expanded the vision

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

The Committee also established the original Mission Statement

Engagement with multiple City of Philadelphia departments along with other private impacted stakeholders began.

Collaboration and routine dialog was 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 turned quickly into designs all with varying scale

Each design was meticulously reviewed attempting to authentically capture every possible detai

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

• Boulders symbolizing Armenia's mountainous landscape​

• Fluid Walkway System to allow the public to slow down, learn and contemplate

• New "Stations" along the Walk as placeholder for new public art

• New Landscape and Robust Plantings

• Refined Lighting & Irrigation Systems

After realizing the symbolism and historical significance of the American Elm tree as well as the impact of wide spread decline due to Dutch Elm Disease, the Committee agreed to explore how the tree could be saved and compliment the design of the Walk.

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

Three independent arborist were engaged for input

Eventually, the tree was determined to be in fair condition and the structural roots were in tact even though they were under tremendous stress from previous utility projects in the area.

The committee emphasized the importance of the Armenian Community to maintain the site in order to preserve its original luster.

The committee also set a goal to fully fund the project as well as an endowment through mostly private donors

By November the final version of the design was presented and the three primary stakeholder had tentatively 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 and incorporate

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

Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR), Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA),
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) 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 Committees have been initiated

Selection of materials, sizes, colors and textures for the space have been narrowed

Initial discussion on legal agreements with the City have commenced