HARTFORD, Conn. – Driving out of town on Albany Avenue I was struck by the speed with which neighborhoods shifted before my eyes, from the handsomely rebuilt downtown to some of the saddest poverty in urban America. And then, just as quickly, I turned onto Bloomfield Avenue and was staring at lush fairways lining the Hartford Country Club.

It was so tightly situated; the contrast so great. Yet, there were no signs warning “Keep Out,” nor any saying “All Are Welcome.&rdquo...