Bangor Savings Bank celebrated the opening of three new branches this week, marking a substantial boost in the bank’s Greater Portland presence.

The branches are in Scarborough, at Oak Hill; in South Portland, at the Mill Creek Shopping Center; and in Portland, at the Pine Tree Shopping Center.

The bank used the occasion to announce contributions to the newly formed Friends of Mill Creek Park in South Portland, as well as a grant to Scarborough’s Project GRACE and the adoption of the Capisic Brook Trail through Portland Trails.

For the Friends of Mill Creek Park, Bangor Savings Bank’s $2,500 contribution represented the first major contribution the group has received since forming just weeks ago. The grassroots group is dedicated to renovating the park, located at the heart of South Portland’s Mill Creek neighborhood, just up the street from Bangor Savings Bank’s new South Portland branch. Bangor Savings Bank hopes the initial gift will help the group initiate a broader, long-term fundraising campaign.

“Here is a grassroots organization that has formed to undertake the renovation of a truly valuable community asset. We are honored to be among the first to show our support through a financial commitment,” said Jim Conlon, Bangor Savings Bank president and CEO.

Conlon joined residents, local officials, bank employees and representatives from the three nonprofits at each of the three new branches to participate in individual celebrations. At each individual event, Conlon presented the bank’s contribution of $2,500 to one of the three organizations.

The South Portland branch manager is Cindy Axelsen, Scarborough branch manager is Karyn MacLeod and Brighton branch manager is Tricia Duchesneau.

Bangor Savings Bank, founded in 1852, is in its 154th year of service, and operates from 46 locations throughout Maine and on the Web at www.bangor.com.

Holding a $2,500 check for Project GRACE are John Edwards, senior banking officer for Bangor Savings Bank; Jim Conlon, the president & CEO of the bank; Hope Taggart, Project Grace executive director; Bruce Thurlow, Project Grace board president; Ron Owens, Scarborough town manager.