FAIRHOPE, Ala. — A local nonprofit group planted the idea this week of starting a community garden in the downtown area.

Based on the response of several Recreation Board members, the plan to locate a garden of 40 12-by-4-foot community garden plots at Stimpson Field might have taken root.

“I think everybody is for your plan,” said Councilman Mike Ford, who is the council’s liaison to the board. “I really think this could be an asset, but I’m also trying to think of other areas where it could go.”

The board deferred voting at Wednesday’s meeting on the Local Food Production Initiative’s project, until additional research could be done.

The group asked the Recreation Board, which works with the Parks and Recreation Department in managing the city’s athletic fields, to give its support to the City Council and mayor, urging them to take the necessary action to establish a community garden at Stimpson Field.

“Stimpson looks like an absolutely perfect location,” said Elaine Snyder-Conn, chairwoman of the group’s community garden committee. “We’re not asking the city for any money. We’re hoping that you can come up with a resolution to give to the council to support the community garden there.”

Snyder-Conn presented a detailed proposal to the board, which included a map showing the proposed site, and a contract outlining the duties and responsibilities of the group.

The proposed location for the garden is between the hedge on Morphy Avenue and the tennis courts at the field, she said.

The site has plenty of sunlight, access to water for irrigation and parking, and would be a visible and attractive spot in the downtown area, she said, adding that several other places in the city had been ruled out for not meeting those criteria.

“Community gardens are becoming very popular and would offer many opportunities and benefits to the city,” she said.

Although several members supported the idea, several members also raised questions about whether the project would conflict with other athletic and recreational uses at the field. There are plans to add additional athletic facilities on the other side of the tennis courts, said Eddie Boyette, the department’s director.

“They don’t practice on that side,” said Boyette, referring to the proposed garden site.

The board decided to ask local baseball and soccer leagues about their use of the proposed area; to have the nonprofit group monitor the area for how it is used; and to check with other community gardens for some general feedback on issues such as fencing the area, management and location

“I’ll put some stakes out there to help you see where it would be,” said Boyette, adding that he would stake out an area of approximately 5,600 square feet in two places as possible locations at the field.

Ed Lawrence, the group’s president, said he was encouraged by the board’s response to their presentation, “because many members, including Mike Ford, supported it.”

The board asked the group to report back at a future meeting with the results of its monitoring of the field for the amount of athletic use at the proposed site.

“All the things they need are right there (at Stimpson Field),” Ford said. “We are certainly not saying ‘no.’ ”