7 Things "Parks & Rec" Taught Us...About Parks

Lessons learned from the folks in Pawnee, Indiana.

A colorful graphic featuring the phrase 'Greetings from your local PARK' with a bright blue sky and fluffy clouds in the background. The image includes a red bench and a picnic blanket, emphasizing community engagement and outdoor activities.

We’ve got to hand it to Parks and Recreation for managing to make us laugh, cheer, and cry at the happenings of the Pawnee Parks Department. We didn’t know we could feel so many things about public land maintenance, and Parks and Rec definitely taught us a lot. Here are the things we learned about parks from some of our favorite Parks and Rec park moments.

If you want to take a cue from Leslie Knope and show your own love for a local park, go there and pick up at least 10 pieces of trash through our Huddle Up to Play It Forward campaign, powered by the NFL Huddle for 100. You’ll join thousands of young people making cleaner places to practice and play across the nation.

1) We play a big part in park safety.

Jerry told everyone that he was mugged at the park, and it led to a whole lot of hubbub about how safe it was. As it turned out, he actually got hurt falling into the creek while trying to retrieve a dropped burrito -- proving that sometimes, the biggest danger to park safety...is ourselves.

2) Some parks are worth journeying for.

A person stands on the edge of a canyon, gazing thoughtfully at the expansive landscape filled with rocky formations and distant mountains under a clear sky. The scene conveys a moment of reflection and exploration, emphasizing the beauty of nature and the importance of personal growth.

Andy and April drove 30 hours to see the Grand Canyon, and the views from this National Park were too beautiful for even April to clown on. It was definitely worth the trip (even if Andy was actually thinking of Mount Rushmore the whole time).

3) No one is above the park rules.

A person in a red plaid shirt confidently hands a permit to another person in a uniform during an outdoor event, surrounded by people enjoying the park. The permit reads, 'I can do what I want.'

We thought it was a convincing permit, but Ranger Patrick didn’t end up letting Ron slaughter and cook a pig in the middle of Ramsett Park. The annual Parks Department Employee Appreciation Barbecue may have been set back a bit, but rules are rules.

4) Take care of the parks you love.

A community clean-up event by the Pawnee River is taking place, with a banner promoting the initiative in the background. A person is addressing a group of volunteers, encouraging participation in environmental stewardship and civic engagement.

Leslie wasn’t satisfied with waiting years for her federal grant proposal to clean up the Pawnee River to go through, so instead she took matters into her own hands, picking up trash with anyone who would help. And you can do the same!

Huddle Up to Play It Forward

Pick up trash to take care of a local park you love.

5) A park is better with friends.

Two individuals sit together on a rustic bench in an open field, sharing a moment of connection under soft lighting from nearby lanterns. The scene reflects a sense of community and camaraderie, emphasizing the importance of togetherness in volunteer and civic engagement activities.

The pit was what started Ann and Leslie’s friendship in the first place, and it was only fitting that they be together to see it finally turned into the park they’d imagined it could be.

6) Parks are all about community.

A diverse group of individuals engages in a lively outdoor activity on a dock by a lake, showcasing teamwork and community spirit. This scene highlights the importance of collaboration and connection in volunteer and civic engagement programs.

Maybe Ted Party Day (when the citizens of Pawnee dump a man named Ted into the lake) is an unconventional kind of community gathering, but it gets everyone celebrating together in Ramsett Park, and that’s what really matters.

7) When it comes to parks, size doesn’t matter.

A cozy urban park scene featuring a romantic moment between two individuals, surrounded by a decorative garden with flowers and a white bench. The setting includes a lamppost, emphasizing community and connection.

Ben and Leslie worked together to make the smallest park in Indiana, and it turned out SUPER cute. Even cuter was the fact that they got back together while hanging out there. Good things do come in small packages sometimes!

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