Madafed Nature River is a hidden oasis

In Exchange, St Ann runs a section of the White River that is steadily growing in fame. The Madafed Nature River is a hidden oasis nestled into a seemingly urban area of the garden parish.

As is our lot in life, when the STAR team set out on this adventure, we knew our decision to take the scenic route through Mount Rosser would make the trip more difficult. What we did not anticipate is the pair of trucks blocking the only toll-less route we knew. Taking a chance, we rerouted through Ewarton, St Catherine. One failed attempt later, there we were heading to the toll from Bog Walk, where we somehow ended up.

Once in St Ann, finding the river was light work thanks to the helpful residents of Exchange. No stranger to the hikes, the five-minute walk from where we parked to the river itself was barely exercise. Following the sound of the roaring water, the bushes parted to display water so blue it could have been a Microsoft screensaver. Etched on to the wall above the main pool are the bold, white letters 'WELCOME TO MADAFED NATURE RIVER'.

The real welcome however came when we set foot into the alluring waters. No stranger to rivers, I expected the temperature to be a little chilly but I did not expect the ice shards that shot up my legs. Quickly getting over the seemingly sub-zero temperatures, I ventured deeper into the water only to find that the length of the river never rose barely above five feet. My glee at being able to enjoy the river even with my limited swimming knowledge swiftly disappeared though when I found that what it lacked in depth, it made up for with the current.

Regardless of the swift waters, the swings and platforms built by Michael McCoy provided just enough adventure to make the stream any adventurer's fantasy.

"I'm one of the owners for this place. I own the land. About two and a half years ago we decided that we gonna do a little thing down here so we decide we gonna make road and thing like that," McCoy said. The retired tour guide said the idea came from the 25 years of experience he had in the tourism industry.

"I used to drive the boat, take the tourists out. Whether they wanna go snorkelling, fishing, to the Dunn's River Falls, up the river, hiking in the bush, wherever they wanna go. I did it for 25 years. So this is where I was born and raised enuh. So we have all of this since we are kids so I just want to use it now," he said.

In addition to the swings, McCoy constructed stairs for persons to enter the oasis, changing rooms, bathrooms and shops that sell refreshments. He is hoping to clear another section of the land to create a park.

"We just gonna pick up the stone dem and put beach chairs and have the shops them on that side. We selling the nature, mother nature," he said.