Pilot Leslie Knope is a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana. In an attempt to beautify her town Leslie takes on what should be a fairly simple project: help local nurse Ann Perkins turn an abandoned construction pit into a community park. Leslie is alternately helped and undermined by her colleague, Tom Haverford, who cheerfully exploits his government position for personal gain. She is also thwarted by her boss Ron Swanson who is philosophically opposed to government in any form. Helping Leslie and Ann navigate the Pawnee bureaucracy is charismatic city planner Mark Brendanawicz, whose outlook has been soured by 15 years of public service. If they can pull it off, Leslie hopes that she also will have inspired her uninterested college intern April and April's whole generation - all the while moving one step closer to her ultimate goal: becoming the first female president of the United States.
Canvassing Leslie and her committee go door-to-door to build support for her park project and recruit members for an upcoming town hall meeting, but their mission doesn't go as smoothly as Leslie hopes. Meanwhile, Tom strays from the group and uses more questionable recruiting tactics.
The Reporter When Leslie invites a reporter to do a story on her park project, she and her committee have trouble staying on message. Leslie calls in Mark to help save the story, but he only makes the situation worse. Meanwhile, Tom kisses up to his boss.
Boys' Club Leslie tries to make her way into the old boys club of politics by going to a casual get-together, but she quickly faces a tough ethical choice. Meanwhile, Andy has a secret plan to surprise Ann.
The Banquet Leslie attends a banquet honoring her mother and discovers what it takes to get what you want in the political arena. Meanwhile, Tom and Mark bail on the banquet to go to a bar and pick up some women.
Rock Show Leslie attends an important meeting with a local bigwig while her sub-committee members go to Andy's first concert since breaking his legs.
