The committee was looking at options for developing more attractions in the playground, including a proposal put to it by Weston School pupils Rosie Pope, Whitney Cleveland and Blake Wilson for an elephant rocks-style development.
Staff had recommended the committee vote to remove the elephant slide from the gardens, despite a public petition to retain it.
The slide has been closed because of safety issues and the cost of repairing it was too great, staff said.
Committee chairman Peter Twiss said there was a lot of interest in the future of the elephant, originally donated by the Round Table service club, and described it as "an icon of the district".
But Cr Gary Kircher did not believe the committee of four councillors should make the decision.
Yesterday's report to the committee will go to the council on April 14 for a decision which involved all councillors.
Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton said due to the public support for retaining the elephant, he was sure funding would be found to repair it.
Weston School had surveyed its 250 pupils to find out what they wanted in a playground.
The elephant rocks development proved the most popular, but many also wanted the elephant slide retained.
Whitney Cleveland said pupils came up with additional ideas for the new development, which were incorporated into the plan.
The new development is based on the Elephants Rocks, near Duntroon, which is part of the Vanished World tourist attraction. It would feature limestone-like rocks with sliding and climbing options.
