
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.
Chris sends Leslie and Ben on a trip to the capital; Ron teaches a student about his views; Tom's new game; April hurts Andy's feelings.
The parks department is unhappy when Chris makes big changes; Leslie is surprised when Ben has a meeting with her mother.
Leslie and the Parks Department organize a memorial for a dearly departed friend; Tom makes a big decision; Chris reacts poorly to a health issue.
Leslie must choose between Ben and her dream of running for office; Ann dispenses medical advice; Ron gets ready for the return of Tammy One.