If you haven’t seen the hilarity and heartwarming times in NBC’s Parks and Recreation – you’re missing out. If you need an idea of these rad characters or just want a reason to dive back in, I’ve got you! Check out some key moments from the people of Pawnee!
I’m going to try and not have too many spoiler-like moments for those folks who aren’t initiated into how great this show is, but some may slip the net. I don’t have enough space to go into each and EVERY character, but I’ve got a few key folks that will make make you snap your fingers and load up Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime (included in Prime Video) asap. This is going to focus on the initial group of the Parks & Rec team to get you up to speed and be fans like us! It seems we’re not the only fans though, because YouTuber Next of Ken has the greatest compilations of these characters. Thanks, Ken!
Leslie Knope
Leslie is someone ANYONE can admire. She has only ever wanted to do right by the people of Pawnee and it has been her dream to be a part of the government, like her Mother, in order to make a difference. Sometimes she doesn’t quite do the right thing but thankfully she’s got a group of friends who see her shine and want to help her get to the beautiful changes that will help the community! Sure, she’s extra af (as Ken notes also) but sometimes she just needs to let her hair down. We love a Leslie moment.
Andy Dwyer
Andy is, well, Andy. He’s a sweet boi who always has his heart in the right place, but sometimes it doesn’t quite work out. Introduced as The Guy Who Fell Into The Pit that melds his life into that of main character Leslie Knope. Soon enough, Andy finds himself adoring the team aspect to everything Leslie and the Parks & Rec team are getting up to. It’s hard not to love Andy and these clips are a perfect representation.
Tom Haverford
Yes, it took a few good pulls to get some perfect Tom moments because Tom just has so dang many. Tom is obsessed with celebrity, with clout and the culture of being awesome. We all know a Tom and we secretly love and adore him.
April Ludgate
April is that little sarcastic and dark voice in all of our heads that we don’t let out due to civility, but it’s still there. It takes a special kind of softness to ease her demeanor a bit and eventually she comes to find that she actually adores her job and loves the people of Parks & Rec. Growing up is intense, guys.
Ann Perkins
Ann is the straight-man that literally came out of nowhere and shot into Leslie’s life all because her goofy boyfriend fell into a pit. She is supportive and silly at the right times but mostly, she is the person that Leslie bounces her wacky off of. We love Ann because secretly we all wish we were the Ann at times but mostly, we just need one to babysit our inner children.
Donna Meagle
Donna is someone who tries desperately to keep her private life from those crazy ‘work people’ but they just pry their lives into her heart. She’s fun and has that fire to her that makes her someone you don’t want to mess with. It’s that spark that makes her so useful when everyone’s running around like the sky is falling. We adore a good Donna quip.
Ron Swanson
And last, but definitely not least — Ron Swanson. He is the exact replica of every masculine epithet that you’ve ever heard. Any Dad shirt you’ve seen, any patriotic Facebook post you’ve seen? Those are Ron. However, deep down, this man wishes everyone would just go right back to living in cabins and living off the land. Yet, much like April — he kinda can’t help but soften up when it comes to the people working for the Parks & Rec office. He admires quietly and is always there to help in the clutch moments.
