NEW CASTLE — The Delaware Association of Conservation Districts has recognized New Castle County’s Departments of Community Services and Public Works for the 2023 Agriculture Conservation Award project for their construction of a new manure storage building at Carousel Farm Park and Equestrian Center.

The awards recognize one agricultural and one urban-suburban project in each county; the project was nominated by the New Castle Conservation District as the 2023 Agriculture Conservation Award project for New Castle County.

“It’s essential we continue to protect the air we breathe and water we drink for today, and for the future,” County Executive Matt Meyer said. “We were happy to collaborate with great partners such as the New Castle Conservation District and local contractors to keep our drinking water safe.”

The manure storage building allows for covered storage of the horse manure generated by the 26 riding lesson horses and the 11 New Castle County Police mounted patrol clydesdales.

The covered storage and concrete pad work together to protect and improve water quality at the park, which is located in the White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic Watershed. The White Clay Creek is a source of drinking water in northern New Castle County.

The project was jointly funded by the conservation district and the county. The district provided $23,800 of conservation cost-share funds and $80,000 of resource conservation and development funds. New Castle County contributed $8,000 towards the cost of the project.