The Lawrence City Commission on a 3-2 vote agreed tonight that new neighborhoods should have a greater number of parks.

Commissioners recommended that the city’s park standards be changed to require that at least a small park and playground be within about a quarter-mile of every new home. Currently, the city tries to meet a standard of each home being within a half-mile radius of a neighborhood park.

A majority of commissioners agreed that a half-mile from parks to homes is a greater distance than most people are willing to walk. But commissioners did hear concerns that the new standard would create additional maintenance costs and would increase the city’s parkland acquisition costs.

Commissioners Boog Highberger, Mike Rundle and David Schauner voted for the change in the standards. Mayor Mike Amyx and Sue Hack voted against the changes, although both said they wanted to review other ways to encourage more neighborhood parks in new developments.