The heroine Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is a middle-level official in the Department of Parks and Public Recreation in Pawnee, Indiana. To beautify her home, Leslie chose a seemingly simple plan: to help nurse Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones) turn a wasteland (pit) into a community park. Leslie's colleague Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari) is an enterprising fellow who is dedicated to self-interest. He often "doesn't help" Leslie. Although Leslie's boss, Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman), is a high-ranking official, he is a stubborn anarchist, and his views on words and deeds bring great resistance to Leslie. Urban planner Mark Brendanawicz (Paul Schneider) is firmly on Leslie's side, but 15 years of public service has also ruined his temper and view of the future. Leslie hopes to make a big impact with his own success.