LI beaches: What to expect in Sandy's wake

It's time to take back the beaches.

Hitting the sand over Memorial Day weekend is sacrosanct for many Long Islanders, and it's particularly poignant this year on the South Shore, where superstorm Sandy's floods devastated public beaches. Boardwalks buckled, dunes eroded, entire sections of Ocean Beach Parkway collapsed and washed away.

But that was then.

This weekend, the sand and the surf are the stars of the show. Beachgoers will find spruced-up walkways and concession areas at Jones Beach, where the annual Bethpage Air Show takes over the skies tomorrow and Sunday (see B2-3). In Long Beach, there's no boardwalk, but a new "Shoregasbord" food truck court has rolled in for the season. Meanwhile, day trippers to Ocean Beach on Fire Island, can still while away an afternoon strolling between beach and town, where shops and restaurants are back in business.

Joe Calabrese, 57, of Lindenhurst was encouraged by what he saw. He even spotted his first horseshoe crab of the season. "I didn't know what to expect," he said. "We are happy to see that there's quite a substantial beach left."

"Beach people are die-hards," said Liz Calton, 47, of Levittown, who came to check out the waves. "They are going to come, regardless of what's going on here."

Paul Gillespie, chief of lifeguards for Long Beach, echoes her sentiments. "It is going to be the year of adjustments," he says.

On a brighter note, the beachside playground at Magnolia Boulevard has been completely redone. The beach area between the footings and the shoreline has been extended by about 20 yards in some spots. And a seemingly endless stretch of volleyball nets is up. League play started this week.

As for the sand -- the city's normal usage fees apply -- $12 daily with season pass options for residents and nonresidents.

Harvey Levine, owner of both Seasons Bed and Breakfast and Blue Water Hotel, said all but one room is rented for this weekend. "The phone is ringing off the hook," he said.

Rentals are up this season, and inventory is scarce, according to real estate broker Carin Roth. "We don't want people to be afraid to come out here," said Jon Randazzo, owner of several Ocean Beach restaurants.

Matthews Seafood House has a new outdoor deck and all-new flooring. At CJ's, a favorite of the locals for a beer and a game of darts, the worn bar was refinished and the room was updated with a modern yellow decor. Employees were stocking juices at Rachel's Bakery, well known to regulars for its scrumptious cookies. All say they will be open this weekend and expect the usual crowds.

Beaches have been replenished but look a bit odd without the dunes. Only a few beach entrances are without stairs.

The storm-wrecked dunes have been rebuilt. The flooded bathrooms and damaged concession areas have been restored with new plumbing and electrical wiring.

Keith Langan, who manages bayside restaurants The Seafood Shack and the Salsa Shack, was amazed by the cleanup. "If you saw the destruction of this restaurant area after the hurricane, you would have never thought we'd be open again," he said.

Additionally, a new burger shack will open later this year, complete with a dining deck overlooking the spray park.