‘Parks and Recreation’ series finale: Twitter says goodbye

After seven seasons, “Parks and Recreation” bid farewell on NBC on Tuesday night with a series finale that leapt forward in time to show how things turned out for the gang from Pawnee, Ind. (To anyone who has ever watched this upbeat series, it should come as no surprise to learn that they all ended up very happy.)

The comedy, which overcame an iffy six-episode first season to become one of the most critically beloved (if not award-winning) shows on television, was never a huge ratings draw and teetered on the brink of cancellation for most of its run.

NBC brought it back this year for a final batch of 13 episodes, burning through the entire season in barely a month by airing two episodes each week. But the network’s hasty send-off did little to damper fans’ enthusiasm for the show, and on Tuesday night they turned to social media to react to the bittersweet moment (as did cast members Aubrey Plaza, Jim O’Heir, Nick Offerman, Rashida Jones and Rob Lowe.)

In a tweet that summed up much of the online reaction to the series finale, critic Scott Tobias wrote that it “epitomized the show’s defiant positivity, which proved sustainable against conventional wisdom. Something radical about that.”

Comedian Patton Oswalt tweeted, “Just promise me you’ll be around for at LEAST 6 more years, @broadcity,” referring to the upcoming Comedy Central series of which “Parks” star Amy Poehler is executive producer.

Fellow funnyman Garry Shandling also weighed in: “Gee, that last Parks and Rec episode was one, great big hit!”

Meanwhile, “Scandal” creator Shonda Rhimes remembered her favorite character, the swaggering Donna Meagle. “Life without Donna Meagle will never be the same. Congrats on an unforgettable character, lady” she tweeted at Retta, the actress who plays her.

“Orphan Black” star Tatiana Maslany, who has also made guest appearances on “Parks and Recreation,” tweeted, “You guys are the treats yourSELVES,” a variation on Donna and Tom Haverford’s mantra “Treat yo’ self.”

In a sad twist, the “Parks and Recreation” finale came just days after the death of executive producer Harris Wittels, who was remembered in the episode’s final frame.

Writer Megan Amram shared a photo of the show’s writing staff watching the finale together with the message, “Thank you for everything, everyone. We love you, Harris.”

Follow @MeredithBlake on Twitter.