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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 1 - Pilot
    6.9/10(4591 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. Parks and Recreation Season 1 Episode 2 - Canvassing
    7.0/10(3928 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. Parks and Recreation Season 1 Episode 3 - The Reporter
    7.1/10(3682 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 5 - The Banquet
    7.1/10(3455 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. Parks and Recreation Season 1 Episode 4 - Boys' Club
    7.2/10(3582 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. Parks and Recreation Season 7 Episode 3 - William Henry Harrison
    7.2/10(2207 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 6 Episode 16 - Galentine's Day
    7.4/10(2060 votes)

    #7 - Galentine's Day

    S6:E16

    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
    Writers:Rachna Fruchbom, Emma Fletcher, Emma Fletcher

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  8. Parks and Recreation Season 2 Episode 6 - Kaboom
    7.5/10(3124 votes)

    #8 - Kaboom

    S2:E6

    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

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  9. Parks and Recreation Season 2 Episode 16 - Galentine's Day
    7.5/10(2917 votes)

    #9 - Galentine's Day

    S2:E16

    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

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  10. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 17 - Partridge
    7.5/10(2248 votes)

    #10 - 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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  11. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 21 - Swing Vote
    7.5/10(2200 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 7 - Fluoride
    7.5/10(2183 votes)

    #12 - Fluoride

    S6:E7

    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

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  13. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 10 - New Beginnings
    7.5/10(2151 votes)

    #13 - New Beginnings

    S6:E10

    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

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  14. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 17 - Prom
    7.5/10(2059 votes)

    #14 - Prom

    S6:E17

    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
    Writers:Harris Wittels, Matt Murray

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  15. Parks and Recreation Season 7 Episode 1 - 2017
    7.5/10(2468 votes)

    #15 - 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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  16. Parks and Recreation Season 1 Episode 6 - Rock Show
    7.6/10(3485 votes)

    #16 - Rock Show

    S1:E6

    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

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  17. Parks and Recreation Season 2 Episode 3 - Beauty Pageant
    7.6/10(3306 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. Parks and Recreation Season 2 Episode 5 - Sister City
    7.6/10(3558 votes)

    #18 - Sister City

    S2:E5

    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

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  19. Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 16 - Sweet Sixteen
    7.6/10(2481 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 12 - Ann's Decision
    7.6/10(2352 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 3 - Doppelgängers
    7.6/10(2275 votes)

    #21 - Doppelgängers

    S6:E3

    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:Jay Karas
    Writer:Donick Cary

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  22. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 8 - The Cones of Dunshire
    7.6/10(2225 votes)

    #22 - The Cones of Dunshire

    S6:E8

    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

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  23. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 11 - Farmers Market
    7.6/10(2119 votes)

    #23 - Farmers Market

    S6:E11

    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

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  24. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 12 - Ann and Chris
    7.6/10(2166 votes)

    #24 - Ann and Chris

    S6:E12

    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
    Writers:Michael Schur, Aisha Muharrar

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  25. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 15 - New Slogan
    7.6/10(2070 votes)

    #25 - New Slogan

    S6:E15

    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
    Writers:Alan Yang, Sam Means

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Pilot" is the worst rated episode of "Parks and Recreation". It scored 6.9/10 based on 4591 votes. Directed by Greg Daniels and written by Michael Schur, Greg Daniels, it aired on 4/9/2009. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Canvassing".