Spanning several picturesque miles on the Long Island Sound, beach lovers and boaters will find plenty to do in the town of Mamaroneck. The town consists of the villages of Mamaroneck and Larchmont and an unincorporated section that is part of neither village. Larchmont, an affluent waterfront village that is decidedly more upscale than neighboring Mamaroneck, features waterfront estates and a walkable downtown with high-end restaurants and boutiques. In 2005, Larchmont was named the 11th best place to live in America by Money magazine, which cited the community's low crime rate, high median household income and good student-to-teacher ratio as a few of its attributes. Mamaroneck, meanwhile, has more of a working-class feel, although the village's central thoroughfare, Mamaroneck Avenue, recently has become something of a magnet for one-of-a-kind boutiques. Generations-old shops can be found nestled between newer clothing and gift stores along a four-block stretch. Mamaroneck's main drag also features family-owned pizzerias, burger joints, Chinese and Japanese restaurants and a coffee shop where live music sometimes is on the menu. Beach and yacht clubs, both public and private, dot the coast of the two villages. Inland, athletic types can enjoy private golf clubs. The unincorporated area, although largest in size, has the least amount of water access and waterfront but is home to the Winged Foot Golf Club and Bonnie Briar Country Club, the Leatherstocking and Sheldrake trails, the Hommocks pool and ice skating rink and the Badger Sports Club. The town's latest project is at Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck, where a $10 million to $15 million renovation is planned for the 44-acre waterfront park and beach. The plan calls for major renovations and changes, including relocating the tennis courts to make room for an additional soccer field and creating a maritime center. By LIZ SADLER THE JOURNAL NEWS (Original publication: October 30, 2005)