
Leslie Knope, a midlevel bureaucrat in an Indiana Parks and Recreation Department, hopes to beautify her town (and boost her own career) by helping local nurse Ann Perkins turn an abandoned construction site into a community park, but what should be a fairly simple project is stymied at every turn by oafish bureaucrats, selfish neighbors, governmental red tape and a myriad of other challenges. Leslie's colleague Tom Haverford, who delights in exploiting his position for personal gain, is as likely to undermine her efforts as to help her, while her boss, Ron Swanson, is adamantly opposed to government in any form, even though he's a bureaucrat himself.

Leslie and Ben work to complete a years-long project in two hours; Ron's temper causes trouble.

Leslie's speech for a media event goes missing; Ben starts his new job; Ann asks someone an important question.

Leslie tries to help a failing video store stay open; Chris advises Tom on dealing with a difficult employee; Ann tries to force April to be her friend.

Ben and Leslie travel to Ben's hometown so he can accept the key to the city; Ron is sued; Chris and Ann take a compatible parenting quiz.