Daily News from New York, New York • 187

3 4 1 J. 1 1 4 ZY -vuw REBECCA MCALPIN HONKY TONK The Arcade at Coney Island has that old-time flavor. 1 1 i 1 7 rt' 1 I ,1 El -TSSS i-mJjgtJ: Jr. EL 1. WKKU SIKW Vr 1 A J4 MATTHEW I ROBERTS CHECKMATE Old-timers ponder their moves on the Brighton Beach boardwalk.

i JM vfjw MATTHEW ROBERTS TYKE-FRIENDLY Krista Rogers trains for the Tour de France at Rockaway Beach. BRIGHTON BEACH from its origin at Beach Ninth St. until Beach 17th St. Beach 38th St. in Edgemere is named for Duke Kahanamoku, the Hawaiian surfing legend whose spiritual descendants catch waves on the shore between Beach 90th-92nd Sts.

But before hitting the surf, keep in mind that the Parks Department recently has enforced strict guidelines, banning floating devices of any kind, and curfews of 9 p.m. for beaches and 10 p.m. for the boardwalk, changes that have upset many locals. Along most of the boardwalk, high-rise apartment buildings, playgrounds and open spaces sit opposite the ocean, but as the street numbers grow, bungalows and suburban homes start to fill the oceanfront blocks. When the boardwalk turns a corner at Beach 1 2 1 st, tall grass sprouts from white sand unt il the weathered boards end at Beach 126th St.

Power walkers may continue west to the mile-long boardwalk at Jacob Riis Park, which is now serviced from E. 34th St. and Pier 17 in Manhattan on weekends by New York Waterways. BOARDWALK BASICS Length: 6.2 miles Don't miss: The historic bungalows that have become popular summer rentals, just off the boardwalk at Beach 108th St. Scenic stretch: The grassy patches and wide expanses at the end of the boardwalk between Beach 121st and Beach 126th feel hours away from town.

Getting there: The A train splits into the A and the shuttle before reaching the peninsula. The A goes to Far RockawayMott Ave. (Beach 25th), Beach 36th, Beach 44th, Beach 60th and Beach 67th. For service to Beach 90th, Beach 98th, Beach 105th and Beach 116th transfer to the shuttle at Broad Channel. The Long Island Rail Road provides service to Far Rockaway.

Chrlssy Perslco it is now. "Used to be you would get a hot dog and a knish, now you get caviar and a knish," Singer said on a recent afternoon stroll. Phyllis Schwieger, who grew up on the boardwalk agrees. "The food and atmosphere are different now, but it is still a nice place to take a walk," she said. BOARDWALK BASICS Getting there: Take the train to the Brighton Beach stop.

Hours: Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until Sept. 1. Dana Young ROCKAWAY BEACH Unlike the Ramones, you don't need to hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach.

The A train runs directly to New York City's longest stretch of beach and boardwalk, encompassing the neighborhoods of Far Rockaway, Edgemere, Arverne, Rockaway Park, Belle Harbor and Neponsit. In the mid-1 800s, Rockaway was a popular summergetawayforwealthy city-dwellers, but as transportation advanced and bridges and rail lines connected nearby towns with the shore, local working-class families became Rockaway Beach's regulars. Shops and amusements once lined the boardwalk; the last of them disappeared when Rockaway Playland was demolished in 1 987. Today, the Sand Bar at Beach 1 1 6th St. is the only place to grab a beer and a burger along the planks, although pushcarts selling ice cream, hot dogs and soda are available every few steps, and Park concessions are on the rebound.

The lack of commerce on the Rockaway boardwalk makes it ideal for biking, walking, running or catching an ocean breeze while sitting on one of seemingly countless benches, and it radiates a distinct hometown feeling. The boardwalk is concrete be seen," says Jack Ward, a lawyer whose great-grandfather was one of the early property-owners. "The '60s and '70s were bad it was the end of Steeplechase Park and the beginning of the low-income housing projects. But the ballpark has put Coney Island in the public eye again and exposed it to new customers. Suddenly, people are saying, 'Hey, it's a nice and they want to come see what's going on." BOARDWALK BASICS Length: 2 12 miles Opened: 1923 Don't miss: Ruby's Bar and Grill, where walls are covered in vintage photos (check out Jackie Gleason and Bob Hope in drag); the Coney Island Museum (treasures include a metal horse from the old Steeplechase ride), and the annual Mermaid Parade (June 21), one of the flashiest events of the year.

Must eat: Sure, sure, down a dog at Nathan's Famous, at Surf and Stillwell but don't miss Gregory Paul's oven-grilled franks on the boardwalk at W. 10th. Getting there: Because of the Stillwell Ave. reconstruction project, the Neptune W. Eighth St.

and Ocean Parkway subway stations are closed. The is the only train stopping at Stillwell. and riders can connect to shuttle buses to the boardwalk. Mlchele Ingrassla "Brighton Beach Boardwalk has always been wonderful. When I was young, the smell of fresh bagels, Hebrew National hot dogs and Mrs.

Stahl's Knishes filled the air," Pat Singer, executive director of the Brighton Beach Neighborhood Association said. "It was beautiful, it was life and it still is." Pat Singer is just one of millions who have enjoyed the Brighton Beach Boardwalk since the 1920s, when the original was torn down, and the current structure was built. A little over 3 miles of detailed woodwork extends from Brighton to Coney Island. In fact, the parachute jump from Coney Island can be seen on the horizon. It is home to many restaurants and businesses, and is one of the few all-wood boardwalks still in existence.

In the mornings, joggers seeking a peaceful reprieve, and a stunning sunrise, take to the boardwalk with their windbreakers and Walkmans. In the evenings, the linen-covered tables of authentic Russian restaurants like Tatiana's Restaurant and Cafe and the Winter Garden bustle with boardwalk diners, lending a European feel to the spot. Although the boardwalk always has been a place for relaxing, eating and socializing, it wasn't always as high-end as.