The idea for this episode came from research into local municipal governments, when the writers found that residents who are supportive or neutral about projects do not bother to attend meetings, but the people who are against something always do.
Aziz Ansari improvised much of his dialogue, including the scene in which he is on the phone hinting at bribes to gain support for the park project. The producers were initially worried this would make his character unlikable with the viewers, but the opposite happened as audiences felt this was an accurate portrayal of a typical government office.
The game that Mark, Andy and April are playing when Anne and Leslie walk in on them (when they're supposed to be canvassing) is Rock Band 2, as evidenced by the song 'My own worst enemy' by Lit.