In an attempt to beautify her town — and advance her career — Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, takes on bureaucrats, cranky neighbors, and single-issue fanatics whose weapons are lawsuits, the jumble of city codes, and the democratic process she loves so much.
Writer: Daniel J. Goor
Air date: 2011-09-22
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Leslie is torn between Ben and her dreams of running for public office, while Ron braces himself for the arrival of his first wife, the original Tammy.
Writer: Norm Hiscock
Air date: 2011-09-29
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Ron's first ex-wife, Tammy One, reenters his life and tries to control his every move. Meanwhile, Ben helps Tom balance the books at his new company, and Ann makes a PSA, with help from Chris.
Writer: Aisha Muharrar
Air date: 2011-10-06
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Leslie's book about Pawnee comes out just in time for her campaign. Ann tries to bond with Ron and April.
Writer: Alan Yang
Air date: 2011-10-13
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Ron takes his boys-only troop of Pawnee Rangers into the wild. Not wanting the girls to feel left out, Leslie also takes her troop of Pawnee Goddesses on an adventure weekend. Meanwhile, a reluctant Ben joins Tom and Donna for a day of relaxation, and Chris spends some time with Jerry.
Writer: Katie Dippold
Air date: 2011-10-27
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Andy and April host a Halloween bash at their house. Tom emcees an event for Leslie's campaign. Andy and April receive an unusual wedding present from Ron and Ann.
Writer: Michael Schur
Air date: 2011-11-03
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: A local Pawnee group predicts the end of days, causing chaos in the Parks department.
Writer: Harris Wittels
Air date: 2011-11-10
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Leslie enlists the help of Ben, Andy and April to host a Model U.N. for Pawnee Central High School. Chris asks Ann for her advice on love when a date cancels on him. Meanwhile, Ron struggles to find a replacement for Tom.
Writer: Chelsea Peretti
Air date: 2011-11-17
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Leslie uses her new tourist attraction as a way to spend more time with Ben. Meanwhile, Ron and April encourage Andy to go to college, and Chris tasks Tom and Jerry with revamping the Parks and Rec logo.
Writer: Daniel J. Goor
Air date: 2011-12-01
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Leslie has to face an ethics committee about her secret relationship with Ben after they come clean to Chris.
Writer: Dave King
Air date: 2011-12-08
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Unable to get work done from inside the Parks Department, Leslie forms a citizen action group and fights from the outside. Meanwhile, everyone in the office brainstorms ideas for what to get Leslie for Christmas.
Writer: Mike Scully
Air date: 2012-01-12
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Leslie enlists everyone's help in staging an attention-getting event. Ben takes up a new hobby, while April and Andy adopt a pet.
Writer: Alan Yang
Air date: 2012-01-19
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Faced with a tough new opponent, Leslie and Ben disagree on the content of her first campaign ad. Ron is very uncomfortable when Chris tries to befriend him, while Andy and April make a trip to the doctor.
Writer: Katie Dippold
Air date: 2012-01-26
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Leslie and Ben host a bowling night after receiving feedback about Leslie's campaign. April, Chris, and Jerry hold a competition to see who can raise the most funds.
Writer: Aisha Muharrar
Air date: 2012-02-02
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Leslie works to find Ann a Valentine's date. Ron helps Ben with a scavenger hunt, and Chris becomes depressed over his love life.
Writer: Harris Wittels
Air date: 2012-02-16
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: While trying to get an endorsement from the Chief of Police, Leslie and Ben awkwardly run into Leslie's old flame, Dave. Meanwhile, Andy and the rest of the office work on a theme song for Leslie's campaign.
Writer: Norm Hiscock
Air date: 2012-02-23
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Leslie realizes that the department has forgotten Jerry's birthday and decides to throw a party for him at a special location. Meanwhile, Tom is flabbergasted when he finds out Ann doesn't share his taste in music.
Writer: Daniel J. Goor
Air date: 2012-03-01
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Leslie and Ben are caught off guard when her opponent Bobby Newport hires a powerful campaign manager from Washington. Chris forces Ron to start interviewing replacements for Leslie when work starts falling through the cracks, and an unlikely officemate solves a challenging problem.
Writer: Nick Offerman
Air date: 2012-03-08
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Leslie and Ben are thrilled when Buddy Wood wants to interview Leslie for his Indianapolis talkshow. April and Ron prep Andy for his final exam in his Women’s Studies course.
Writer: Dave King
Air date: 2012-04-19
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: Leslie discovers that the Parks Department budget is about to be cut, and she later meets the City Council member she is running to replace. Chris and Ron visit a meditation center.
Writer: Amy Poehler
Air date: 2012-04-26
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: Leslie goes toe-to-toe with Bobby Newport in a debate. Ann, Tom, and Chris work in the media spin room, while Ron goes the extra mile to save a party for Leslie's donors.
Writer: Alan Yang
Air date: 2012-05-03
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: An important person in Pawnee dies while Leslie is on a bus tour for the final day of her campaign. Meanwhile Andy investigates a security threat, and Chris finds a cure for his depression.
Writer: Michael Schur
Air date: 2012-05-10
Runtime: 27 min
Overview: It's election day in Pawnee, and Leslie and Bobby Newport are separated by a razor-thin margin. While everyone waits with Leslie for the race to be called, they ponder their futures, and their new opportunities.
