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The Best Episodes of Parks and Recreation

Every episode of Parks and Recreation ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Parks and Recreation!

Binge this in 1d 22h•Peaking at 9.5/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Parks and Recreation Season 7 Episode 4 - Leslie and Ron
    9.5/10(5096 votes)

    S7:E4

    Leslie and Ron attempt to work out their differences.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writer:Michael Schur

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  2. Parks and Recreation Season 7 Episode 12 - One Last Ride
    9.5/10(5922 votes)

    S7:E12

    The Parks gang completes one last task together, before saying goodbye to Pawnee.

    Director:Michael Schur
    Writers:Michael Schur, Amy Poehler

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  3. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 14 - Leslie and Ben
    9.2/10(3531 votes)

    S5:E14

    Leslie and Ben are getting married, and have to cram months of planning into two hours. Meanwhile, Ron's temper gets him in trouble.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writers:Michael Schur, Alan Yang

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  4. Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 22 - Win, Lose, or Draw
    9.0/10(3207 votes)

    S4:E22

    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.

    Director:Michael Schur
    Writer:Michael Schur

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  5. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 2 - Flu Season
    8.9/10(3904 votes)

    S3:E2

    While planning for the local Harvest Festival, Leslie is struck with the flu and is forced to go to the hospital. Ron and Andy have a day of male bonding, and Tom hits the spa.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writer:Norm Hiscock

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  6. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 9 - Andy and April's Fancy Party
    8.9/10(3767 votes)

    S3:E9

    April and Andy host a dinner party for the Parks Department. Meanwhile, Ann tries to move on from Chris at a singles' party.

    Director:Michael Trim
    Writer:Katie Dippold

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Parks and Recreation

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  7. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 9 - Ron and Diane
    8.9/10(3198 votes)

    S5:E9

    Ron, Diane, and Leslie attend a wood working awards dinner after one of Ron's handcrafted chairs is nominated, but the happy occasion is threatened by the arrival of Tammy II. Meanwhile, Jerry hosts a holiday party at his home with his wife, and some of his friends are shocked to find they were not invited.

    Director:Daniel J. Goor
    Writers:Aisha Muharrar, Megan Amram

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  8. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 13 - The Fight
    8.8/10(3782 votes)

    S3:E13

    When Leslie tries to get Ann a job at city hall, her lukewarm reaction causes their first-ever fight. Tom invites the entire department to the Snakehole Lounge to help him promote his new alcohol, "Snake Juice."

    Director:Randall Einhorn
    Writer:Amy Poehler

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  9. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 16 - Li'l Sebastian
    8.8/10(3392 votes)

    S3:E16

    Leslie and the parks team put together a memorial service for a dearly departed friend. Meanwhile, Tom makes a big life decision, while Chris reacts badly to a health problem.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Daniel J. Goor

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  10. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 10 - Two Parties
    8.8/10(3116 votes)

    S5:E10

    Ben and Leslie's rival bachelor and bachelorette parties each take on a very different tune.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Dave King

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  11. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 13 - Anniversaries
    8.8/10(2955 votes)

    S6:E13

    Ben attempts to surprise Leslie with a special anniversary gift. Tom and Adam try to help Leslie bring positive light to the Pawnee-Eagleton merger, while April asserts her new authority as Donna's boss.

    Director:Morgan Sackett
    Writer:Megan Amram

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  12. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 7 - Harvest Festival
    8.7/10(3385 votes)

    S3:E7

    It's make it or break it for the Parks Department at the Harvest Festival which is full of surprises.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Daniel J. Goor

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  13. Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 20 - The Debate
    8.7/10(2992 votes)

    S4:E20

    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.

    Director:Amy Poehler
    Writer:Amy Poehler

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  14. Parks and Recreation Season 2 Episode 10 - Hunting Trip
    8.6/10(3878 votes)

    S2:E10

    Leslie tries to prove she can hang with the guys so she invites herself on Ron's annual hunting trip, but things don't go as planned. Meanwhile, April and Andy bond in the office while everyone is away.

    Director:Greg Daniels
    Writer:Daniel J. Goor

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  15. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 11 - Jerry's Painting
    8.6/10(3154 votes)

    S3:E11

    Jerry's contribution to Leslie's community art show causes a stir. Ben moves in with April and Andy and attempts to teach them how to be adults. Meanwhile, Leslie is frustrated by Chris and his interoffice dating rules.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Norm Hiscock

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  16. Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 2 - Ron and Tammys
    8.6/10(3158 votes)

    S4:E2

    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.

    Director:Randall Einhorn
    Writer:Norm Hiscock

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  17. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 5 - Halloween Surprise
    8.6/10(2899 votes)

    S5:E5

    A new job offer for Ben causes Leslie to contemplates their future. Meanwhile, Ron and Andy take Diane's girls out trick-or-treating, and Tom searches for a new business idea.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Michael Schur

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  18. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 2 - The Pawnee-Eagleton Tip-Off Classic
    8.6/10(2568 votes)

    S6:E2

    Ben, Leslie and Chris meet with Eagleton city councilor Ingrid de Forest to discuss financial matters; Ann brings April to vet school orientation; Ron tries to get off the grid.

    Director:Nicole Holofcener
    Writer:Alan Yang

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  19. Parks and Recreation Season 2 Episode 24 - Freddy Spaghetti
    8.5/10(3244 votes)

    S2:E24

    When Ben prevents Leslie from holding a children's concert, she takes matters into her own hands. Mark makes some big decisions about his life, and Andy gets some unexpected romantic attention.

    Director:Jason Woliner
    Writer:Daniel J. Goor

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  20. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 4 - Ron & Tammy: Part Two
    8.5/10(3308 votes)

    S3:E4

    Tom tries to get back at Ron by going out on a date with Ron's ex-wife Tammy, while Leslie tries to protect Ron from falling prey to her charms. Meanwhile, April is assigned to work with Chris.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writer:Emily Kapnek

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  21. Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 11 - The Comeback Kid
    8.5/10(3169 votes)

    S4:E11

    Leslie enlists everyone's help in staging an attention-getting event. Ben takes up a new hobby, while April and Andy adopt a pet.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writer:Mike Scully

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  22. Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 13 - Bowling for Votes
    8.5/10(2878 votes)

    S4:E13

    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.

    Director:Michael Trim
    Writer:Katie Dippold

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  23. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 13 - Emergency Response
    8.5/10(2638 votes)

    S5:E13

    Leslie and Ben organize a black tie gala to raise money for their park, but their plans are derailed when a city-wide emergency response drill is called. Meanwhile, Andy prepares to take his Police Academy Exam and Ron fills in for Leslie on Pawnee Today.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writers:Norm Hiscock, Joe Mande

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  24. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 1 - London
    8.5/10(2743 votes)

    S6:E1

    Leslie wins an award from an international Women in Government organization, and travels to London with Ben, Andy, April and Ron to accept it.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Michael Schur

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  25. Parks and Recreation Season 2 Episode 21 - 94 Meetings
    8.4/10(3250 votes)

    S2:E21

    Ron is furious when April mistakenly schedules a ton of meetings for him. Meanwhile, Leslie fights to preserve a historical landmark.

    Director:Tristram Shapeero
    Writer:Harris Wittels

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Best Episodes Summary

"Leslie and Ron" is the best rated episode of "Parks and Recreation". It scored 9.5/10 based on 5096 votes. Directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and written by Michael Schur, it aired on 1/20/2015. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "One Last Ride".