Recreation information has moved to the "Can I Swim Here?" section of LAWA
This site is located next to a children's playground in East End Reserve and the Coastal Walkway, with a bridge crossing the stream about 100 metres up-stream from the river mouth.
It is a popular recreational area used mainly for walking, cycling, picnicking, with whitebaiting carried out on the banks of the stream when in season. A summer pop-up café is located in the East End Reserve, which overlooks the Te Henui river mouth. Summer usage of this site is high due to the surrounding facilities e.g. public toilet, picnic tables, BBQ burners, skate park and a children's playground.
Ducks and gulls are common at this site and are often encouraged by people feeding them. Investigations have shown that bird excrement is the main cause of water quality failing to meet safe swimming guidelines. Permanent warning signs are located along the river and next to the playground warning the public that the site is unsuitable for swimming and regularly exceeds the microbiological water quality guidelines.