ST PAUL, Minn. — The Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department has been dressing up like characters from the hit TV show "Parks and Recreation" for Halloween since 2016.
It started after Asha Shoffner, environmental and outdoor education coordinator, started watching the show.
"I thought we should do a spoof on it," she said. "We were excited about it, but I think also community members just appreciated seeing the playful side of of Parks and Recreation."
Shoffner said she was excited to be Tom Haverford, known for his moto to 'Treat Yo Self.'
"It's sound advice!" laughed Shoffner.
The first year in 2016, she even went as far to cut her hair for the photo.
"I feel like we've embraces that in the last few years," she said.
It was only natural for Saint Paul Parks and Rec Director Andy Rodriguez to put on a mustache and dress up as the deadpan, anti-government Ron Swanson.
"Ron is a very different personality than me," joked Rodriguez.
Not everyone in the department has a striking resemblance to their characters, but there's no debate Deputy Director Erica Prosser resembles Deputy Director Leslie Knope.
"When I say I work in Parks and Rec., that's the first thing people ask me" said Prosser. "'Did you ever watch the Parks and Rec show?' Then they say, 'You're Leslie Knope! And I say, 'Yes, I'm Leslie Knope."
The department posted its 2023 photos Tuesday.
"I look forward to this every year!" wrote one Facebook user.
"Please never stop doing this," wrote another.
To look at past recreations, click here.
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