The Worst Episodes of Parks and Recreation
Every episode of Parks and Recreation ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Parks and Recreation!
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.
Lowest Rated Episodes Summary
The worst episode of "Parks and Recreation" is "Pilot", rated 6.9/10 from 4227 user votes. It was directed by Greg Daniels and written by Greg Daniels, Michael Schur. "Pilot" aired on 4/9/2009 and is rated 0.1 point(s) lower than the second lowest rated, "Canvassing".
6.9/10 4,227 votes#1 - Pilot
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 4/9/2009
Indiana government worker Leslie Knope is given the assignment to convert an abandoned quarry pit into a community park. A documentary film crew follows Leslie through her mishaps and gaffes as she tries to make her assignment a reality.
Director: Greg Daniels
Writer: Greg Daniels, Michael Schur
7.0/10 3,627 votes#2 - Canvassing
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/16/2009
Leslie decides that she and her committee need to go door-to-door to gain support for the park project as well as support for an upcoming town hall meeting, but their mission does not go as planned. Meanwhile, Tom wanders away from the canvassing group and uses his own creative recruitment tactics.
Director: Seth Gordon
Writer: Rachel Axler
7.1/10 3,391 votes#3 - The Reporter
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/23/2009
Leslie arranges for a reporter to do a story about her park project, but she and her committee have the worst time staying on topic. She then calls Mark to help her save the story, but it ends up hurting more than helping. Meanwhile, Tom does all he can to suck up to his boss.
Director: Jeffrey Blitz
Writer: Daniel J. Goor
7.1/10 3,176 votes#4 - The Banquet
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 5/7/2009
During a banquet honoring her mother's public service, Leslie tries to convince a local zoning official to support her proposed park project. Meanwhile, Mark and Tom try to meet some ladies.
Director: Beth McCarthy-Miller
Writer: Tucker Cawley
7.2/10 3,299 votes#5 - Boys' Club
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 4/30/2009
Leslie attempts to break into the political "old boy's club," causing an ethical dilemma. Meanwhile, Andy plans a surprise for Ann.
Director: Michael McCullers
Writer: Alan Yang
7.3/10 2,063 votes#6 - William Henry Harrison
Season 7 Episode 3 - Aired 1/20/2015
Leslie's team tries to strengthen her case that the Newport land should be turned into a National Park. Ron's team, fighting back, brings on a celebrity as a minority owner.
Director: Tom Magill
Writer: Megan Amram
7.4/10 1,912 votes#7 - Galentine's Day
Season 6 Episode 16 - Aired 3/20/2014
Leslie throws a hasty Galentine’s Day in an attempt to find a replacement for Ann. Tom and Ben look to finalize a deal on tents for the Unity Concert, while Ron finds himself looking after Andy.
Director: Beth McCarthy-Miller
Writer: Emma Fletcher, Emma Fletcher, Rachna Fruchbom
7.5/10 2,694 votes#8 - Galentine's Day
Season 2 Episode 16 - Aired 2/11/2010
When Leslie hears her mom’s story about an old flame, she and her boyfriend Justin track him down and reunite them on Valentine’s Day. Meanwhile, Andy and his band are nervous about playing a gig at the Senior Center.
Director: Ken Kwapis
Writer: Michael Schur
7.5/10 2,080 votes#9 - Partridge
Season 5 Episode 17 - Aired 4/4/2013
Leslie accompanies Ben on a trip to his hometown which has offered him a key to the city. Ron deals with a lawsuit filed against him by Councilman Jamm. Ann and Chris take a parenting compatibility quiz.
Director: Tristram Shapeero
Writer: Dave King
7.5/10 2,023 votes#11 - Fluoride
Season 6 Episode 7 - Aired 11/21/2013
Leslie tries to complete some of her biggest city council goals, like hosting an NFL Play 60 event with the Indianapolis Colts, and trying to add fluoride to Pawnee’s drinking water. Meanwhile, Chris and Ron attempt to bond while building cribs for their future children.
Director: Michael Trim
Writer: Matt Hubbard
7.5/10 2,000 votes#12 - New Beginnings
Season 6 Episode 10 - Aired 1/16/2014
Leslie and Ben both face new challenges on the first day of new jobs. Donna, April and Andy play a prank on Ben, while Tom prepares for a big presentation. Meanwhile Ann and Chris contemplate taking a big leap together.
Director: Alan Yang
Writer: Sam Means
7.5/10 2,314 votes#13 - 2017
Season 7 Episode 1 - Aired 1/13/2015
Leslie launches a competition with tech company Gryzzl for a large parcel of land, which she wants to turn into a National Park. April and Andy try to regain their spontaneity. Ben is recognized at a Bicentennial gala, where Tom delivers a speech in his honor.
Director: Dean Holland
Writer: Matt Murray, Alan Yang
7.6/10 3,210 votes#14 - Rock Show
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 5/14/2009
Leslie attends what she believes is a business meeting with an elderly local government bigwig, unaware that her mother has secretly set her up on a blind date. Andy plays his first gig since breaking both of his legs in the pit.
Director: Michael Schur
Writer: Norm Hiscock
7.6/10 3,054 votes#15 - Beauty Pageant
Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 10/1/2009
Leslie gets to judge a beauty contest, but ends up having conflicting opinions on "the ideal woman" with the other judges. While on a date with Mark, Ann learns Andy has been living in the pit.
Director: Jason Woliner
Writer: Katie Dippold
7.6/10 3,279 votes#16 - Sister City
Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 10/15/2009
Leslie plays host to the Parks and Recreation department from Pawnee’s sister city, Boraqua, Venezuela, and is shocked at the cultural differences. Tom becomes an errand boy, and April plays hard to get.
Director: Michael Schur
Writer: Alan Yang
7.6/10 2,879 votes#17 - Kaboom
Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 10/22/2009
Leslie, Ann and the rest of the Parks Department volunteer to help the organization KaBOOM! build a playground for a neighboring town. After building an entire playground in one day, Leslie gets frustrated at the lack of progress with the pit, and takes some advice from Mark to cut through the red tape.
Director: Charles McDougall
Writer: Aisha Muharrar
7.6/10 2,300 votes#18 - Sweet Sixteen
Season 4 Episode 16 - Aired 2/23/2012
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.
Director: Michael Schur
Writer: Norm Hiscock
7.6/10 2,169 votes#19 - Ann's Decision
Season 5 Episode 12 - Aired 2/7/2013
Ann tries to get to know herself as Leslie meddles in one of her biggest life decisions. Meanwhile, things go south when Ben enlists the guys to help choose a caterer for the wedding.
Director: Ken Whittingham
Writer: Nate DiMeo
7.6/10 2,105 votes#20 - Doppelgängers
Season 6 Episode 3 - Aired 10/10/2013
Leslie pairs up the Pawnee Parks employees with their Eagleton counterparts. Meanwhile Ben and Chris reunite for an accounting project, and Ann reveals her plans for the future.
Director: Jaime Eliezer Karas
Writer: Donick Cary
7.6/10 2,063 votes#21 - The Cones of Dunshire
Season 6 Episode 8 - Aired 11/21/2013
Leslie faces off with Councilman Jamm; Ben gets a new hobby; Tom, April and Donna help Ron sell his cabin.
Director: Julie Anne Robinson
Writer: Dave King
7.6/10 1,963 votes#22 - Farmers Market
Season 6 Episode 11 - Aired 1/23/2014
Leslie fights with Ben over questionable sales techniques at the local farmers market. Ann searches for a way to vent about the annoying aspects of pregnancy, while April supports Andy in a new creative venture.
Director: Adam Scott
Writer: Joe Mande
7.6/10 2,006 votes#23 - Ann and Chris
Season 6 Episode 12 - Aired 1/30/2014
On Ann and Chris's last night in Pawnee, Leslie throws a grand farewell party and attempts to fulfill one last promise. Meanwhile, Tom, Ben, Ron and Andy struggle to find the perfect going away gift for Chris.
Director: Dean Holland
Writer: Michael Schur, Aisha Muharrar
7.6/10 1,926 votes#24 - New Slogan
Season 6 Episode 15 - Aired 3/13/2014
Leslie aims to create a new town slogan, but runs afoul of local shock jocks. Andy scouts bands to play the Unity Concert and discovers an interesting secret about Ron, while Tom looks for a restaurant locale with Donna and April.
Director: Dean Holland
7.6/10 1,906 votes#25 - Prom
Season 6 Episode 17 - Aired 4/3/2014
Leslie helps organize the high school's Senior Prom, and battles with Ron over the future employment of a bright high school senior. Andy takes an unwilling April as his date, and Tom is tasked with DJ'ing and agrees to let Ben help.
Director: Ken Whittingham
Writer: Matt Murray, Harris Wittels
