Dark, brush-ridden Calanan Park could soon see the light.

On Monday, members of Nevada City Downtown Business Association and citizens plan to show up at 9 a.m. with wheelbarrows, shovels, clippers, rakes and other tools to clean up the controversial little park on Broad Street.

The group will trim trees, remove bushes and weeds, lay down bark, paint handrails and install lights at a park many consider the gateway to Nevada City, said Lea Davis, co-chair of the Downtown Association's Beautification Committee.

"We're going to beautify that corner, since that's the first thing people see when they come to Nevada City," said Davis, who owns the Earth Store at 310 Broad St.

Calanan Park is a small, heavily-treed lot at the corner of Broad and Union streets. It's also a popular place for young people and transients to hang out, a situation that has concerned some downtown merchants.

Monday's work should make the park more appealing to visitors and local residents alike, Downtown Association chairman Jim McConnaughay said.

"A lot of people think the park is a little dark and foreboding," said McConnaughay, who owns Country Collectibles on Broad Street.

The group also plans to remove a large bush at the corner of Union and Broad streets to make room for the eventual installation of a "Welcome to Nevada City" sign, said Davis, adding that the group still needs to get permits for the sign.

Gary Tintle, a contractor and the co-chair of the Beautification Committee, plans to donate brick and other materials for the sign after the cleanup.

"Our goal is do tree and shrub trimming and open it up and make it more interesting," Tintle said.

The city has pledged to help with the cleanup, and the Public Works Department will provide two trucks to help dispose of the brush, Davis said.

The Downtown Association is planning another cleanup effort during the week of May 11-18, when people will power wash sidewalks in the historic downtown.

To contact Staff Writer Pat Butler, e-mail pbutler@theunion.com or call 477-4239.