Madison Blue Spring State Park 5.25

Madison Blue Spring State Park is a Florida State Park, located approximately ten miles east of Madison on the west bank of the Withlacoochee River. It contains one of the state's 33 first magnitude springs.Madison Blue Spring is known for its cool waters and underwater caves. The park was established after a private owner sold 38 acres at the spring in 2000. Subsequently, Nestlé bought 2 adjoining acres, and a preexisting, but unused, bottling permit. After contentious hearings, the state authorized Nestlé to move forward, and tax incentives were approved for Nestlé's construction of a bottling plant. The plant opened in 2004. Water from this operation is used for Nestlé's Deer Park and Zephyrhills bottled water brands.