 Steve Heisler of The A.V. Club called Jerry's presentation "one of the most amazing scenes in Parks & Rec history". Heisler also praised Pratt's performance and felt Ann was unusually sympathetic in "Park Safety", but felt Samberg was poorly used and his loud talking quickly grew tiresome. New York magazine writer Steve Kandell said "Park Safety" continued an ongoing development of the mythology of the Pawnee community, comparing it to "a live-action Springfield", the setting of the animated comedy series The Simpsons. Kandell said Samberg's character "could have been irritating but somehow wasn't". Matt Fowler of IGN called Jerry's presentation "one of the best, most pointed moments of crude humor that we've ever seen on the show". Fowler also said Swanson's expertise in self-defense "fits perfectly" to his character. Kona Gallagher of TV Squad said the constant mocking of Jerry made him feel uncomfortable, and that Samberg "just seemed like the personification of an SNL skit instead of a real character". But Gallagher praised Ron Swanson's role in the episode, as well as the apparent rekindling of Ann's feelings for Andy.
