<P> The concept for Parks and Recreation did not start to form until series creators Greg Daniels and Michael Schur learned Poehler would be available to play the lead character . Once that casting was determined, the general concept for both the series and the Leslie Knope character was established . After the first season, changes were made to Leslie's character to make her appear more intelligent . Schur said this was in response to critical feedback that Leslie came across as "ditzy" during the show's first run of episodes, which Schur said was never their intention . Schur said that the show considered a backstory element for Leslie where she had been elected mayor while a teenager; this story was later used for the Ben Wyatt character . </P> <P> Amy Poehler said by the third season, after the Parks Department has been shut down for three months due to a budget crisis, Leslie has started to face reality more clearly and realize the department is a low priority . </P> <P> She was listed in AfterEllen.com's Top 50 Favorite Female TV Characters . In 2015, Entertainment Weekly named Knope as one of the 25 Best TV Characters of the Past 25 Years . </P> <P> Poehler has garnered six Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, three Golden Globe Award nominations, and three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for her role . In 2013, while hosting the ceremony, Poehler won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress--Television Series Musical or Comedy for her portrayal of Leslie Knope . </P>

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