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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!

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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 Worst Episode
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    Parks and Recreation Season 1 Episode 2 - Canvassing
    7.1/10(4053 votes)

    #1 - Canvassing

    S1:E2

    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

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  2. Parks and Recreation Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.2/10(4753 votes)

    #2 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    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
    Writers:Michael Schur, Greg Daniels

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  3. Parks and Recreation Season 1 Episode 3 - The Reporter
    7.2/10(3798 votes)

    #3 - The Reporter

    S1:E3

    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

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  4. Parks and Recreation Season 1 Episode 4 - Boys' Club
    7.2/10(3685 votes)

    #4 - Boys' Club

    S1:E4

    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

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  5. Parks and Recreation Season 7 Episode 1 - 2017
    7.2/10(2564 votes)

    #5 - 2017

    S7:E1

    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
    Writers:Alan Yang, Matt Murray

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  6. Parks and Recreation Season 7 Episode 3 - William Henry Harrison
    7.2/10(2295 votes)

    #6 - William Henry Harrison

    S7:E3

    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

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  7. Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 16 - Sweet Sixteen
    7.3/10(2552 votes)

    #7 - Sweet Sixteen

    S4:E16

    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

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  8. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 1 - Ms. Knope Goes to Washington
    7.3/10(2608 votes)

    #8 - Ms. Knope Goes to Washington

    S5:E1

    Leslie and Andy visit Ben and April at their new jobs in Washington D.C., and Leslie feels overwhelmed by the city -- especially after meeting two of her idols. Meanwhile, Ron throws a "thank you" barbeque for the entire Parks and Recreation staff.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Aisha Muharrar

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  9. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 21 - Swing Vote
    7.3/10(2262 votes)

    #9 - Swing Vote

    S5:E21

    Leslie deems Ron's budget-cut proposals unacceptable. Andy and Ben celebrate a big donation made to their charity. Ann tries to solve Tom's girlfriend troubles.

    Director:Alan Yang
    Writers:Alan Yang, Joe Mande

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  10. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 6 - Recall Vote
    7.3/10(2354 votes)

    #10 - Recall Vote

    S6:E6

    Leslie prepares a haunted house with Ben, Ann and Chris for Halloween on the day of the recall vote. Meanwhile, Tom fears the end of Rent-A-Swag and persuades Ron to help save his business.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writer:Aisha Muharrar

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  11. Parks and Recreation Season 7 Episode 2 - Ron and Jammy
    7.3/10(2476 votes)

    #11 - Ron and Jammy

    S7:E2

    Leslie and Ron briefly put aside their feud to help old foe Jeremy Jamm escape the clutches of the diabolical Tammy 2. Ben vows to help April discover her true passion in life, while Andy and Tom travel to Chicago.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Harris Wittels

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  12. Parks and Recreation Season 1 Episode 5 - The Banquet
    7.4/10(3555 votes)

    #12 - The Banquet

    S1:E5

    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

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  13. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 3 - Time Capsule
    7.4/10(2987 votes)

    #13 - Time Capsule

    S3:E3

    Leslie wants to bury a time capsule that encapsulates life in Pawnee, but an odd suggestion from a local man causes unforeseen consequences. Andy seeks help from Chris about how to win back April.

    Director:Michael Schur
    Writer:Michael Schur

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  14. Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 5 - Meet 'n' Greet
    7.4/10(2725 votes)

    #14 - Meet 'n' Greet

    S4:E5

    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.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writer:Katie Dippold

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  15. Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 10 - Citizen Knope
    7.4/10(2776 votes)

    #15 - Citizen Knope

    S4:E10

    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.

    Director:Randall Einhorn
    Writer:Dave King

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  16. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 6 - Ben's Parents
    7.4/10(2499 votes)

    #16 - Ben's Parents

    S5:E6

    Leslie is nervous about meeting Ben's divorced parents. Tom prepares to pitch his new business to Ron with Jean-Ralphio's help. Chris rides an emotional rollercoaster.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Greg Levine

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  17. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 8 - Pawnee Commons
    7.4/10(2444 votes)

    #17 - Pawnee Commons

    S5:E8

    Leslie and Ben meet with an architect from their rival town, Eagleton, about designs for a new park.

    Director:Morgan Sackett
    Writer:Alexandra Rushfield

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  18. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 12 - Ann's Decision
    7.4/10(2422 votes)

    #18 - Ann's Decision

    S5:E12

    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

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  19. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 17 - Partridge
    7.4/10(2312 votes)

    #19 - Partridge

    S5:E17

    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

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  20. Parks and Recreation Season 2 Episode 2 - The Stakeout
    7.5/10(3545 votes)

    #20 - The Stakeout

    S2:E2

    While tending to the new community garden, Leslie and Tom discover someone has planted marijuana among the vegetables. In an effort to catch the people responsible, they pull an all-night stakeout. With Leslie's permission, Ann decides to go on a date with Mark.

    Director:Seth Gordon
    Writer:Rachel Axler

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  21. Parks and Recreation Season 2 Episode 3 - Beauty Pageant
    7.5/10(3409 votes)

    #21 - Beauty Pageant

    S2:E3

    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

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  22. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 2 - Soda Tax
    7.5/10(2562 votes)

    #22 - Soda Tax

    S5:E2

    Leslie decides to wage war on obesity in Pawnee in her first mission as city councilor by passing a city-wide soda tax. Meanwhile, Andy tries to get in shape for his police-entrance exam, and Ben struggles to connect with the interns in his office.

    Director:Kyle Newacheck
    Writer:Norm Hiscock

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  23. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 3 - How a Bill Becomes a Law
    7.5/10(2536 votes)

    #23 - How a Bill Becomes a Law

    S5:E3

    Leslie helps a local swim team get more practice time by working on a new law that extends the hours at the community pool; Ron finds himself filling a pothole for a local woman (Lucy Lawless) as part of Chris' new plan to solve citizens' problems around the city; April and Ben take a road trip to Pawnee.

    Director:Ken Whittingham
    Writer:Daniel J. Goor

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  24. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 7 - Leslie vs. April
    7.5/10(2474 votes)

    #24 - Leslie vs. April

    S5:E7

    Leslie gets upset when April tries to get Lot 48 made into a dog park. Meanwhile, Tom enlists Ben's help as he tries to launch his new business venture, and Andy hones his crime scene investigation skills.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writer:Harris Wittels

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  25. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 11 - Women in Garbage
    7.5/10(2505 votes)

    #25 - Women in Garbage

    S5:E11

    Leslie and April handle a garbage route, while Tom asks Andy and Ben to teach him about basketball. Meanwhile, Ron is left to watch Diane's kids while their babysitter is out of town.

    Director:Norm Hiscock
    Writer:Harris Wittels

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Canvassing" is the worst rated episode of "Parks and Recreation". It scored 7.1/10 based on 4053 votes. Directed by Seth Gordon and written by Rachel Axler, it aired on 4/16/2009. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Pilot".