There was nothing wrong with sand. But boo whooo, it got in little johnny's eyes and little Jimmy ate it, presumably after the neighbors cat buried it's poo in it.
I don't recall anyone dying from it from the 1900's- up till the time I was born,(50's) and in the 60's and 70's that followed.
After that, it was pea gravel, but skinned knee's became the next cause of little Johnny's tears.
Then of course, steal play structures caused little Johnny to bruise his head, so wood was used instead, then little johnny ate the wood, and began to pee the bed.
It never ends. Perhaps liberals should keep their kids indoors, and leave other kids to play.
Liberals don't have kids, but they still want to control other people's.
I am about your age. We played with rattlesnakes and other fun desert critters. My brother got bit by a Western Diamondback. Maybe my parents should have sued the state of Arizona.