Objectives To investigate the situation and evaluation of using urban public seating facilities and public toilets among elderly people, to know the key problems and influencing factors on the utilizations.

Methods The study was conducted employing self-designed questionnaire of public facility utilization in elderly people and the data was collected from 219 elderly people who were exercising in communities or parks.

Results In terms of public seats, the aged are dissatisfied with its number and satisfied with its position and comfort. They prefer wood made seats and think it is essential to install banisters and backs on the seats. Some of them have been once injured by the disfunction of seats. On evaluation of public toilets, the aged are dissatisfied with its number, they think the banister installed in public toilets are important too. Some of them have been once injured by floor problems in toilets. There are differences in using of public facilities of elderly people by gender, age and record of chronic diseases.

Conclusions There are still some adverse factors during the use of public seating facilities and public toilets in elderly people.It is crucial to improve the circumstance, creating comfortable, safe, barrier-free environments and minimizing the utilization risk in order to promote active life in the elderly. It is potential for them to make beneficial contributions once good public facilities can encourage the elderly outing for exercises.