Sutter Creek volunteers have dug into the task of clearing Gateway Park of an overgrowth of thistles and other unwanted vegetation.

A rapidly growing volunteer group plans to start bright and early Saturday and Sunday mornings at the approximately 1-acre, city-owned park, said Dee Kennard, an organizer for the group. Installed in spring 2008, the park currently is too much for Sutter Creek crew members to handle, city officials agree.

At State Route 49 and Old State Route 49, the street side of the park is not too scruffy, but much of the park's interior is dominated by weeds and a sturdy stand of mature California thistle.

"They have one-inch-around bases," Kennard said.

Residents of a neighborhood abutting the park have asked for action.

So, nearly 30 volunteers will gather between 7 and 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the park site, said project manager Kathleen Lynch. Thistle thorns are not to be trifled with, Kennard said. It is hoped that a donated disposal bin from Aces Waste will be at the site, she said.

"We're asking everyone to bring gloves," Kennard said. "We're using our own hand tools and tarps. We'll fill the tarps and work in tandems to drag them to the Dumpster."

Organizer Ed Arata said the plan is to prevent, as much as possible, a return of the weed cover in the spring. Herbicides will be purchased, along with other essentials, with proceeds from a seed fund supplied by Amador County District 4 Supervisor Louis Boitano.

Amador County currently relies on approximately 100 volunteers to augment service capability in many county departments.

Arata said, "This is another good first step and there may be more citizens waiting in the wings to offer volunteer help to the city."

Kennard said she expected at least some group members will want to follow through after Gateway Park is cleared and take on additional projects while Sutter Creek endures a budget struggle.

Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said, "The city hasn't really looked past the Gateway site yet - we're very appreciative of the volunteers tackling that site as a start. We'll need to get together with the volunteers after the Gateway site is moving along."

Kennard said group membership is tending to come so far from Baby Boomer-age residents. Kennard can be reached at 267-0204.