Aziz Ansari mows the grass in Central Park

(CBS/AP) New York parkgoers may have done a doubletake Monday when "Parks and Recreation" star Aziz Ansari mowed a section of lawn in Central Park.

The actor and comedian, who plays parks department employee Tom Haverford on the NBC series, helped New York City's Central Park get ready for spring by trimming its 15-acre Sheep Meadow on a riding lawn mower. Ansari, 29, was assisted by several park crew members, also riding lawn mowers.

Central Park Conservancy spokeswoman Dena Libner says Ansari helped mow about an acre of the lawn. It's used for relaxing and sunbathing.

It was an unusual step for an actor who often portrays slackers on-screen.

The city is reopening all of its park lawns and ball fields on Saturday. They were fenced during the off-season so the grass can be hearty in the spring.