Kathleen and readers: We are hoping that the "hand-work" that Director Combs referred to mostly comes in the form of weed whacking, edging, and raking mulch around trees -- some of which maintenance crews were routinely doing in this and other parks in the recent past -- rather than hand weeding on hands and knees. Because there are very few landscape beds/planters in Fremont Park, there should be very little need for that kind of intensive hand-weeding. Also, the Parks Department has agreed to maintain Fremont at the same level as other parks in the City Parks system. At this time of budget cuts, this might mean that ALL parks need more volunteers to maintain their general appearance in the next year or two, not just Fremont Park. George J. is correct that our goal is that as weeds get smothered by mulch and healthy grass, Fremont Park will require less weed-eradication measures in the long run. Amy Barden Coordinator, Pesticide-Free Sacramento