Patrick Issues Environmental Justice Executive Order

With less than seven weeks left in office, Gov. Deval Patrick has signed an executive order he says will promote parks and open spaces in urban neighborhoods where green areas are traditionally in short supply.

The outgoing Democrat said the order requires open space goals be taken into consideration in executive branch decisions across state government.

He signed the order Tuesday, even as incoming Republican Gov.-elect Charlie Baker is gearing up to take office in early January.

Patrick said the order is part of his administration's ongoing commitment to environmental justice in urban neighborhoods and older, financially strapped municipalities known as Gateway Cities, like New Bedford and Fall River.

It would be up to Baker to decide whether to let the executive order stand, rescind it, or make changes to it once he is sworn in as governor.