16 Personality Types of Parks & Recreation Characters

Leslie Knope is a highly exaggerated but great ESFJ. ESFJs are known for their outgoing, warm, and social nature. And there is nobody more like this than Leslie Knope. Whether it’s socializing with her colleagues or in her role as Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation Department of the fictional city of Pawnee, Leslie always brings enthusiasm and positivity to everything she does.
ESFJ leaders naturally will others towards a positive, forward-thinking outlook. This is undoubtedly true for Leslie, who is always looking for ways to make her department run more efficiently and effectively. She is also very compassionate and always looks out for the best interests of her friends and colleagues. Leslie gave Ann the go-ahead to date Mark even though she had liked him for a while because she knew how much Ann needed it. ESFJs are also notoriously good at gift giving, and they love to do it. Leslie makes up holidays as an excuse to give people presents, which as an ESFJ myself, I can relate to!

Ben Wyatt is an ISTJ. ISTJs are known for their practical, down-to-earth nature. They are often very detail-oriented and have a strong sense of duty. This is certainly true for Ben, who is always focused on getting the job done and making sure that everything is running smoothly. He is also very logical and analytical, always looking for ways to improve things. This is evident in his work as the city manager of Pawnee, where he is always coming up with new initiatives to make the city run more efficiently.
ISTJs are also known for their love of systems and their sense of responsibility. This is true for Ben, who is always looking for ways to ensure everything is running smoothly and efficiently. He is also very loyal and dedicated to his friends and colleagues, always there to help them out when they need it.

Ann Perkins is an ISFJ. ISFJs are known for their kind, gentle, and caring nature. Ann is certainly all of these things, which is demonstrated in her career as a nurse. Ann is always looking out for her friends and colleagues trying to help them in any way she can. She was the one who convinced Leslie to run for office, and she was always there to support her during the campaign.
ISFJs often have a hard time saying no, and this is true for Ann. She often agrees to things that she doesn’t really want to do, like going on blind dates, attending Pawnee events that she doesn’t care about, or trying to break up with Andy. This can be frustrating as she has a hard time sticking up for herself and realizing her self-worth, but it’s just part of who she is.

Ron Swanson is an ISTJ with many exaggerated weaknesses of this personality type. ISTJs are known for their quiet, logical, and practical nature. And while Ron is certainly these things, he takes them to the extreme. He is a loner who hates working in groups, which often puts him at odds with Leslie. He is also very set in his ways and doesn’t like change. This can be seen in his love of meat, his hatred of the government, and his refusal to use technology.
ISTJs are also known for being very thrifty, and Ron takes this to the extreme by hoarding money and never spending it on anything. As Ron is very anti-government, he sets his own rules in his office and doesn’t follow any of the city’s regulations. His purpose was to weaken the local government. This tactic often gets him into trouble with Leslie, who is always trying to get him to toe the line.

Andy Dwyer is an ENFP. He is an incredibly positive and optimistic person who always sees the best in people and things. This is evident in his unending enthusiasm for life, his love of music, and his carefree attitude. ENFPs are known for their ability to make friends easily and their outgoing nature. This is certainly true for Andy, who is always making new friends and trying new things. He is also very spontaneous and impulsive, which often gets him into trouble.
ENFPs are also known for their creativity, and this is certainly true for Andy. He is always coming up with new ideas, like starting a band or opening a food truck. This can be both a good and a bad thing, as sometimes his ideas don’t quite pan out the way he wants them to. But you can’t fault him for trying!

Chris Traeger is an ENFJ. ENFJs are known for their outgoing, social nature. They are often very compassionate and always look out for the best interests of others. Chris Traeger embodies these personality types. He is always looking for ways to improve the lives of those around him, whether it’s through his work as a health inspector or just in his personal relationships.
Chris is very optimistic and always looks on the bright side of things. This is reflected in his catchphrase, “This is literally the best day ever.” ENFJs also focused on the bigger picture and they prefer to make decisions for the greater good rather than for individuals. This is certainly true for Chris, who is always looking out for the best interests of the city of Pawnee. He is also very loyal and supportive of his friends and colleagues, always there to help them out when they need it.

April Ludgate is a stereotypical INTP. INTPs are known for their introverted, analytical, and logical nature. April is certainly all of these things, as she is often seen lost in her own thoughts or working on some sort of logic problem. She is also very independent and doesn’t like to be told what to do. This can be seen in her job as the parks and recreation department intern, where she is often given tasks that she doesn’t care about and told to do in a specific way. However, she always finds a way to do things her own way, even if it means breaking the rules.
INTPs are also known for their sarcastic sense of humor, and April certainly has this in spades. She is always making snarky comments and poking fun at her friends and colleagues. She’s a funny and clever INTP through and through.

Tom Haverford is an ESTP. He is outgoing, charming (to some), and always looking for new opportunities. This is evident in the various jobs and businesses that he has started over the years. He is always on the lookout for the next big thing, and he’s not afraid to take risks. This can be seen in his failed business ventures, such as the unsuccessful cologne line or the dating website that only matched people based on their looks.
However, Tom always manages to dust himself off and start again. He’s a go-getter ESTP who always knows how to have a good time. Tom’s motto is “treat yourself” and that says it all. ESTPs can also be selfish and egocentric, and Tom certainly has his moments. He happily drops his co-workers in it to avoid looking bad in situations.

Mark Brandanawicz is an ISTP. He approaches things in his role as the City Planner of Pawnee with a logical and analytical perspective. He is always looking for ways to improve efficiency and he is very happy to go with the flow, which is typical of an ISTP.
Mark is also a skilled handyman, as ISTPs are known for their practical skills. This is shown when he helped Ann with her various issues around the house. ISTPs are also known for being independent and reserved, and Mark certainly fits this bill. He is often seen as the voice of reason among the Pawnee City Council, and he isn’t one to seek out attention or approval.

Donna Meagle is an ESTP. ESTPs are known for being spontaneous, fun-loving, and always up for anything. Donna definitely embodies these traits. She is always game for whatever Leslie has planned, even if it means dressing up in a silly costume or going on an adventure. ESTPs are very charming and outgoing. Donna is certainly this way, especially when it comes to men. She is always flirting and knows how to work her charms to get what she wants.
ESTPs are also known for being very confident and assertive. Donna is definitely not shy about speaking her mind or standing up for herself. When she feels that someone has wronged her, she is quick to let them know about it. Donna only thinks some people are cool, like Tom Haverford, which isn’t surprising given that they share the ESTP personality type.

Jennifer Barkley is an ENTJ. She is ambitious, confident, and always looking for ways to get ahead. This is evident in her work as a political consultant and campaign manager, where she is always looking for strategies to win elections. Jennifer was Bobby Newport’s campaign manager and she ran a very dirty campaign. She is also not afraid to speak her mind, and she often butts heads with Leslie Knope.
ENTJs are also known for their ability to take charge and get things done. This is evident in the way she runs her campaigns, as she is always in control and always knows what needs to be done. Whilst she and Leslie get off to a rocky start, she eventually ends up advising Leslie to set her goals higher, which paid off.

Jean-Ralphio Saperstein is an ESFP. He is outgoing, impulsive, and always looking for ways to have a good time. This is evident in the way he lives his life, as he is always seeking out new experiences and adventures.
Tom Haverford loves Jean-Ralphio and wanted to hire him as Ron’s assistant as he sees himself in Jean-Ralphio and hates Ron. Jean-Ralphio and Tom are always scheming and looking for ways to make money. This is typical of ESFPs, as they are known for their willingness to take risks. Jean-Ralphio is always the life of the party and he is up for anything. He is also very charming and he knows how to work a room like a typical ESFP.

Bobby Newport is an unhealthy ISFP. As heir to the Sweetum’s fortune, he is a spoiled, childlike, and entitled man who always gets his way. He is extremely passive and avoids conflict at all costs. Bobby is also very self-centered and only ever looks out for himself. ISFPs often seek validation and this is why Bobby decided to run in the Pawnee City Council election. He wanted to impress his father and didn’t actually care about the job or the people of Pawnee.
Bobby is also known for being very sensitive and takes things very personally. He gets his feelings hurt easily and often overreacts to things. Bobby also lives in his own world. In the Parks & Recreations reunion he had no idea the Coronavirus pandemic had happened as he was fox hunting in Switzerland on his family’s estate.