Meet June 2025 Pet - Elden the Bear
🐾🌳 Meet Elden the Bear — June’s very honorary Mayor’s Pet of the Month! 🐻🎉 Straight outta Maryland and straight into our hearts (and yards), Elden the Bear took Herndon by storm—and by tree. This adventurous black bear roamed our trails, trotted through neighborhoods, and made headlines before finding a paws-itively perfect perch in a tree just a few doors down from my house.
So what makes Elden special? 🧭 A talent for GPS-free travel. 🎯 A knack for choosing the best selfie spots in town. 📜 Getting his own Town Proclamation.
🌲 And let’s be honest, not every pet gets escorted out of town by a whole team of wildlife officials and becomes a local legend overnight.
Elden may be back in the woods (of Shenandoah) now, but in our hearts (and social feeds), he’ll always be a legend-dairy part of Herndon history. 🐾
Pet Mayor About Town
Parks and Recreation Intern
July is National Parks & Recreation Month, and we couldn’t think of a better honorary ambassador than our unforgettable June Mayor’s Pet of the Month: Elden the Bear.
Elden wandered into Herndon from Maryland and quickly found his happy place along the W&OD Trail. With his head high and paws steady, he took in the scenic routes like a true nature enthusiast—until he decided he needed a break and climbed a tree near my own yard for a nap.
It was a “bear-y” big stir—neighbors with cameras, wildlife officials, and curious kids all watching. But Elden? Just snoozing like a pro. Calm. Cool. Completely unaware of the commotion he caused.
If Elden had a job, there’s no doubt he’d be the unofficial “Paws and Recreation” Ambassador. He embodied everything we love about our parks: calm, connection, and a touch of surprise.
He also had a few guilty pleasures: sweet berries, a bit of honey, and popping up on Ring doorbells just being his fuzzy self. And don’t let his size fool you—Elden’s real superpower was his stealth. He moved through town like a 150-pound ninja in fur.
Elden reminded us that nature isn’t just something we visit—it’s something we live with, protect, and enjoy together. He came, he climbed, he napped—and he left Herndon with smiles, stories, and a whole new appreciation for the wild side of our parks.
Here’s to you, Elden—and to the outdoor spaces that make Herndon feel like home.