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Season 3 – Parks and Recreation

Play trailer Poster for Season 3 – Parks and Recreation Jan 2011 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 97% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Leslie Knope, a midlevel bureaucrat in an Indiana Parks and Recreation Department, hopes to beautify her town (and boost her own career) by helping local nurse Ann Perkins turn an abandoned construction site into a community park, but what should be a fairly simple project is stymied at every turn by oafish bureaucrats, selfish neighbors, governmental red tape and a myriad of other challenges. Leslie's colleague Tom Haverford, who delights in exploiting his position for personal gain, is as likely to undermine her efforts as to help her, while her boss, Ron Swanson, is adamantly opposed to government in any form, even though he's a bureaucrat himself.
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Parks and Recreation — Season 3

Parks and Recreation — Season 3

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Critics Consensus

Parks and Recreation's cast finally feels complete with the delightful additions of Rob Lowe and Adam Scott in a romantic third season that fully fleshes out Pawnee as an amusingly retrograde microcosm of America.

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Critics Reviews

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Andrew Billen The Times (UK) Oct 11, 2019
3/4
"Parks" has been much aided by the arrival of Rob Lowe as the most ebullient accountant ever... Yet from the dialogue to the pacing there is still a feeling Parks does not know whether it wants to be The Office or Arrested Development. Go to Full Review Patrick Smith Daily Telegraph (UK) Oct 11, 2019
5/5
Began its life as a pale imitation of The Office, but has evolved into one of the funniest sitcoms on either side of the Atlantic: a warm and witty mockumentary that never slips into maudlin sentimentality. Go to Full Review Willa Paskin Salon.com Oct 11, 2019
If championing good old fashion niceness makes Parks a throwback to a simpler sitcom era, it hasn't made it any less funny. Go to Full Review Ross Ruediger Bullz-Eye.com Oct 11, 2019
5/5
To steal some verbiage from the show's earnestly lovable lunkhead Andy Dwyer, "Parks and Rec" is awesomesauce. Go to Full Review Ethan Anderton Collider Oct 10, 2019
There's no denying the chemistry this cast has, and the sheer brilliance in writing delivered in every single episode. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Musa A @doodleflame Mar 11, 2026 Somehow miles better than s2 - the removal of Mark is one of the best decisions in tv history, and each of the characters reach their full potential See more Ed R @JustcallmeER Feb 13, 2026 Parks and Recreation's cast finally feels complete with the delightful additions of Rob Lowe and Adam Scott in a romantic third season that fully fleshes out Pawnee as an amusingly retrograde microcosm of America. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Feb 8, 2026 16 funny NBC episodes. See more Clare S. @clare.s. Feb 3, 2026 Ben and Chris add a joyful tone to the show with their new relationships and adventures. See more Max W @MaxthorWoo Dec 30, 2025 Parks and Recreation not only maintains its signature vibrant narrative style and relatable character development, but also carves out a distinct artistic path within the mockumentary comedy genre—setting itself apart from The Office. See more Ruan H @rueymovies Nov 27, 2024 This season is where Parks and Recreation really hits it's first home run. The jokes are next level and the addition of Ben and Chris makes it feel whole. Absolutely perfect! See more Read all reviews
Parks and Recreation — Season 3

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Cast & Crew

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Amy Poehler

Leslie Knope

Rashida Jones

Ann Perkins

Aziz Ansari

Tom Haverford

Aubrey Plaza

April Ludgate

Paul Schneider

Mark Brendanawicz

Nick Offerman

Ron Swanson

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 20, 2011 Go Big or Go Home Leslie asks Ann to help her convince Chris and Ben to give the parks department more money; Ron and Andy coach basketball; April makes an announcement. Details Episode 2 Aired Jan 27, 2011 Flu Season Leslie comes down with the flu while planning the local Harvest Festival; Andy and Ron bond. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 3, 2011 Time Capsule Leslie plans to bury a time capsule that summarizes life in Pawnee; Andy asks Chris for help winning April back. Details Episode 4 Aired Feb 10, 2011 Ron & Tammy: Part Two Tom tries to get even with Ron by going on a date with Ron's ex-wife (Megan Mullally); April is asked to work with Chris. Details Episode 5 Aired Feb 17, 2011 Media Blitz Leslie, Tom and Ben try to spread the word about the Harvest Festival; Ben faces tricky questions about his past; Andy vies for April's affection. Details Episode 6 Aired Feb 24, 2011 Indianapolis Ron and Leslie travel to Indianapolis to receive commendation for the upcoming Harvest Festival; April and Andy learn to have fun without spending money. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 17, 2011 Harvest Festival Leslie deals with a Wamapoke tribal leader who is threatening to put a curse on the Harvest Festival; April is upset with Andy; Ann gets some romantic advice. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 24, 2011 Camping Leslie takes the department on a camping trip to brainstorm new ideas; Andy tries to romance April; Chris returns to Pawnee as the city manager. Details Episode 9 Aired Apr 14, 2011 Andy and April's Fancy Party April and Andy have a dinner party; Ben turns to Leslie for career advice; Ann goes to a singles party. Details Episode 10 Aired Apr 21, 2011 Soulmates An online dating service matches Leslie with someone she already knows; Chris challenges Ron to a burger cook-off as part of a new health initiative. Details Episode 11 Aired Apr 28, 2011 Jerry's Painting Jerry's painting creates excitement at the community art show; Ben moves in with April and Andy; Leslie disagrees with Chris' workplace dating rules. Details Episode 12 Aired May 5, 2011 Eagleton When a neighboring town puts a fence around one of its parks, Leslie asks an old friend for help; Ron tries to stop his own birthday party from happening. Details Episode 13 Aired May 12, 2011 The Fight Ann's lack of enthusiasm at an offer for a city hall job causes an argument with Leslie; Tom invites everyone to help him promote his new alcoholic beverage. Details Episode 14 Aired May 12, 2011 Road Trip Chris sends Leslie and Ben on a trip to the capital; Ron teaches a student about his views; Tom's new game; April hurts Andy's feelings. Details Episode 15 Aired May 19, 2011 The Bubble The parks department is unhappy when Chris makes big changes; Leslie is surprised when Ben has a meeting with her mother. Details Episode 16 Aired May 19, 2011 Li'l Sebastian Leslie and the Parks Department organize a memorial for a dearly departed friend; Tom makes a big decision; Chris reacts poorly to a health issue. Details

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Parks and Recreation — Season 3

Parks and Recreation View more photos

Season Info

Executive Producer
Greg Daniels, Mike Schur, Howard Klein, David Miner
Network
NBC
Rating
TV-14 (D|L)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jan 20, 2011
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