BERRIEN TOWNSHIP — Last Friday, Derek Pelc, chief naturalist at Love Creek County Park, set out 14 mountain bikes to be rented by park attendants. The bikes, eight for adults and six for children, were officially donated by Bike Michiana Coalition and Whirlpool Corporation.

“The fact that Whirlpool Corporation decided to give us this was just amazing, and I’m really hoping the community and the surrounding area embrace it and come out and enjoy it,” Pelc said.

The chief naturalist said the park had discussed adding mountain bikes to the park’s resources with the coalition and Outpost Sports, a Michiana outdoor store. Pelc hoped to add on to a biking program that was started by the chief naturalist before him.

For the past few years, people attending the park in winter could rent fat tire bikes to ride through the park’s 3.5-mile groomed biking trail.

“As a few years went on, we started having people asking if we had bike rentals, as well, in the spring, summer and fall. So, there was interest out there,” Pelc said.

With the recent donation, bikes can now be rented in all seasons. An adult rider can rent a bike for $10 an hour. With the purchase, a complimentary children’s bike is provided. There are multiple sizes for both adult and children’s bikes.

“We want some more family-friend activities out here. Get people outside, get them exercising, enjoying nature on bikes,” Pelc said.

Bikes take up space in or on vehicles, and this is especially the case for a family of bikers. Renting a bike at the county park can save space and unloading time, Pelc said.

The rental program also gives children and adults alike a chance to test out mountain biking before making a bike purchase. It is especially important for children, Pelc said. Not only may children need to upgrade to bigger bikes multiple times as they grow, mountain biking does take some training, too.

“It also gives kids a first-hand experience of mountain-biking, and hopefully we can get them a little bit more involved with this type of recreational sport,” he said.

If bikers do not want to travel the entire main biking trail at Love Creek, Pelc said there are a few shortcuts and easier routes that can be taken.

If a family member does not want to bike, there are also cross-country skiing and hiking trails that can be taken.

The donation comes ahead of Love Biketoberfest in October at the county park. The Bike Michiana Corporation event features multiple bike rides on multiple routes, an Oktoberfest celebration of beer, bratwurst and hot dogs, and a mountain bike clinic for newcomers to the recreational activity.