Hauppauge, N.Y.  -- Long Island, NY's Coopers Beach takes the number one spot in the 20th Annual Top 10 Beaches ranking produced by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (AKA Dr. Beach), Director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research.  It is the first time a New York beach has been named in the Number One spot on the foremost list of best beaches in America.  Also on the list is Long Island's Main Beach, in the Village of East Hampton (Number Five).  Considering Long Island's beaches compete with the likes Florida, California, the Carolinas and even Hawaii, having the number one beach in the country (not to mention just being on the list) is quite an honor. Fifty criteria are used to evaluate beaches, including water and sand quality as well as safety and environmental management. See www.drbeach.org/50criteria.htm  "While Long Islander's have always known and appreciated the quality of our beaches, it's particularly gratifying to be recognized as having the number one beach in the country by no less an authority than Dr. Stephen Leatherman," said Moke McGowan, president of the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau (LICVB). "Both Main and Coopers Beaches have been recognized in the past as being among the top ten beaches in the country - and to now hold the top spot is especially significant when you consider the quality of the company we're in."  Coopers Beach on the east end of Long Island, New York is the main beach in the Village of Southampton. At just about 500 feet long, it's part of a longer seven miles stretch of white sand beaches belonging to Southampton. Southampton, in the world-famous Hamptons region, is known for its quaint villages, miles of farmland, several wineries, art, history, fine dining and lodging. It is steeped in history dating back to 1640.  Coopers Beach is located at 268 Meadow Lane near the intersection with Coopers Neck Lane in the Village of Southampton, in Suffolk County, Long Island. It is managed by the Village of Southampton. Parking is pricey so the best way to visit the beach at no charge is a short bicycle ride from the Village of Southampton.  "This is really a recognition of the people in our community who respect the beach and take care of it; it's a reflection of our community," said Mark Epley, Mayor of Southampton Village. "I'm proud of all our beaches; they are raked and cleaned on a daily basis. Coopers Beach is a large white sand beach, well-maintained, with great dunes and beach grass that surround it." Epley added: "We have visitors come from all over the world. On any day in August, you can probably hear 15 different languages being spoken on the beach."  The parking lot can hold 400 cars. The daily fee is $40.  Coopers Beach and Main Beach in East Hampton are both a small part of the over 100 miles of oceanfront that runs along Long Island's South Shore.  Long Island anticipates that visitors and residents will be inspired to visit Long Island's other stretches of white sand public beaches, as well as its historic sites, hiking trails, golf, wineries, villages, restaurants, and of course, hotels.  Long Island's hotel occupancy was down about ten percent in 2009, reflecting a national trend in tourism last year that saw hotel occupancies plunge.  The Top Ten List of Best Beaches in America is produced annually by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (AKA Dr. Beach), Director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research. As "Dr. Beach" Leatherman has selected the annual Top 10 Beaches since 1991. Dr. Leatherman is an internationally known coastal scientist who has published 16 books and hundreds of scientific articles about storm impacts, erosion, and ways to improve beach health and safety.www.drbeach.org  For a free Travel Guide call 1-877-386-6654 or visit www.discoverlongisland.com.  The Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission (LICVB&SC) was established in 1979 as the official tourism promotion agency for the destination's travel and tourism industry. Based on Long Island in Hauppauge, NY, the LICVB&SC contributes to the economic development and quality of life on Long Island by promoting the region as a world-class destination for tourism, meetings and conventions, trade shows, sporting events, and related activities. For more information about Long Island, please contact the Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission by calling 1-877-386-6654 or visit www.discoverlongisland.com 

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Press Contact Email: Kmatejka@discoverlongisland.com  330 Motor Parkway, Suite 203, Hauppauge, NY 11788 (631) 951-3900  www.discoverlongisland.com TOP 10 BEACHES 2010 1. Coopers Beach  Southampton, New York  2. Siesta Beach  Sarasota, Florida   3. Coronado Beach  San Diego, California    4. Cape Hatteras  Outer Banks of North Carolina 5. Main Beach  East Hampton, New York 6. Kahanamoku Beach  Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii  7. Coast Guard Beach  Cape Cod, Massachusetts  8. Beachwalker Park  Kiawah Island, South Carolina  9. Hamoa Beach  Maui, Hawaii  10. Cape Florida State Park  Key Biscayne, Florida Contact:  Marla Brock marla@drbeach.org 650-996-6796  Website: www.drbeach.org  Kristen Matejka LICVB&SC Kmatejka@discoverlongisland.com 631 951-3900 xt.317 Request password for High def video at http://licvbvideo.aristotle.net/